West-Central Africa

division

*EAQ140101*

Where legally possible, offerings will go to these projects; otherwise special arrangement will be made with the

General Conference for distribution of funds based on the laws of the countries where these offerings are collected.

Map and information provided by the Office of Adventist Mission

Jan

Feb

Mar 2014

DISCIPLESHIP

ADULT SABBATH SCHOOL BIBLE STUDY GUIDE

Porto Novo

Yaounde

N’Djamena

Libreville

Bamako

Nouakchott

Niamey

Abuja

Bangui

Malabo

Accra

Conakry

Abidjan

Monrovia

Sao Tome

Dakar

Freetown

Lome

SPAIN

PORTUGAL

GREECE

ALBANIA

NAMIBIA

LIBYA

DEM. REP.

OF CONGO

ANGOLA

ALGERIA

BOTSWANA

ZAMBIA

TUNISIA

MOROCCO

WESTERN

SAHARA

Canary Islands

NIGER

MAURITANIA

MALI

NIGERIA

CHAD

GABON

CENTRAL AFRICAN

REPUBLIC

TOGO

BENIN

GHANA

IVORY

COAST

LIBERIA

SIERRA LEONE

GUINEA

GAMBIA

CAMEROON

SAO TOME & PRINCIPE

REP.

CONGO

EQUATORIAL GUINEA

SENEGAL

GUINEA-BISSAU

ATLANTIC

OCEAN

Union ChUrChes Companies membership popUlation

Central African 997 562 99,858 43,877,000

Eastern Nigeria 549 523 152,853 52,739,000

Ghana 1,255 1,834 400,363 25,546,000

North-Western Nigeria 424 702 73,353 117,386,000

Sahel 175 381 42,786 116,179,000

West African 123 164 34,977 12,196,000

TOTAL 3,523 4,166 804,190 367,923,000

Statistics as of December 2012

proJeCts

Primary school in Parakou, Benin

Primary school in Dakar, Senegal

CHILDREN’S PROJECT: Library books for

the new schools in Benin and Senegal

1Q14 Children.indd 36 6/28/13 11:59 AM

BURKINA FASO

The Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide is prepared by the Office of

the Adult Bible Study Guide of the General Conference of Seventh-day Ad-

ventists. The preparation of the guides is under the general direction of the

Sabbath School Publications Board, a subcommittee of the General Con-

ference Administrative Committee (ADCOM), publisher of the Bible study

guides. The published guide reects the input of worldwide evaluation com-

mittees and the approval of the Sabbath School Publications Board and

thus does not solely or necessarily represent the intent of the author(s).

Contents

Sabbath

School

Personal

Ministries

Editorial Assistant

Sharon Thomas-Crews

Pacic Press

Coordinator

Wendy Marcum

Art Director and Illustrator

Lars Justinen

Design

Justinen Creative Group

Editorial Office 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904

Come visit us at our Web site: http://www.absg.adventist.org

Principal Contributor

Dan Solís

Editor

Clifford R. Goldstein

Associate Editor

Soraya Homayouni

Publication Manager

Lea Alexander Greve

1 Disciples and Scripture—December 28–January 3––––––––––––––6

2 Discipling Through Metaphor—January 4–10–––––––––––––––14

3 Discipleship and Prayer—January 11–17––––––––––––––––––––22

4 Discipling Children—January 18–24–––––––––––––––––––––––30

5 Discipling the Sick—January 25–31––––––––––––––––––––––––38

6 Discipling the “Ordinary”—February 1–7–––––––––––––––––––46

7 Jesus and the Social Outcasts—February 8–14–––––––––––––––56

8 With the Rich and Famous—February 15–21––––––––––––––––64

9 Discipling the Powerful—February 22–28––––––––––––––––––––72

10 Discipling the Nations—March 1–7––––––––––––––––––––––––80

11 Discipling Spiritual Leaders—March 8–14––––––––––––––––––88

12 The Harvest and the Harvesters—March 15–21––––––––––––––96

13 The Cost of Discipleship—March 22–28––––––––––––––––––––104

n the beginning God created a perfect, sinless world. Human beings enjoyed

the privilege of honoring, worshiping, and following their Creator. Life should

have continued thus for eternity.

Christ’s sacrifice provided our only hope. Calvary’s redemption offers us freedom

and our only escape from insignificance and meaninglessness. Sinful humans are

offered liberty, forgiveness, and the opportunity for restoration to their original state.

God beckons believers everywhere to become heralds of this matchless grace—ambas-

sadors who communicate this divine redemption to those enslaved by Satan, calling them to

follow, worship, and praise their Maker. Christ’s example of disciple-making must become

the model that believers follow in answering the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19, 20).

Therefore, the topic of this quarter is discipleship. Though the term has many

facets, in this study we will look at discipleship as the process by which we become

followers of Jesus and, as such, better soul winners.

After all, Jesus is every Christian’s example, especially in the work of soul win-

ning. Is it illogical to suppose that the keys to effective evangelism are discovered

in popular psychology, mass-marketing techniques, and elaborate promotional

programs, rather than in following the simple example of Christ?

How did Jesus attract His followers? What can we learn from Christ’s

example that would enable us to more effectively lead others to Him? How can

we fulfill the Great Commission?

The Master of Discipleship

How did Jesus appeal to such diverse groups: the wealthy and the destitute, the

religious and the irreligious, the politically powerful and the powerless? How did Jesus

unlock callous hearts, inspire hope among outcasts, gently awaken the child’s tender

heart, and leap over ethnic and social barriers in order to make disciples? How did He

penetrate the fortresses of wealth and power, open the cocoons of spiritually arrogant

religious leaders, or revive hope among those fighting

terminal illnesses?

These are not merely discussion questions that stimu-

late intellectual interchange; rather, they are a crucial

area of study for Christians whose passionate desire is

to follow Jesus’ example of guiding lost sheep to the

loving Shepherd.

Paul also challenged believers to follow him as he

followed Christ. It is unthinkable that believers in the

twenty-first century should accept a lower standard

than that which Paul established in the first century.

In the end, following Jesus vastly exceeds the limit-

ing view that discipleship equals methods for correcting

aberrant behaviors and habits, however important these changes are. A comprehensive

understanding of discipleship is incomplete until it incorporates a passionate desire to

follow Jesus and, as a supernatural result, a passionate desire to lead others to Christ,

as well.

Or, as we have so eloquently been told: “No sooner does one come to Christ than

there is born in his heart a desire to make known to others what a precious friend he

has found in Jesus; the saving and sanctifying truth cannot be shut up in his heart.

If we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ and are filled with the joy of His

indwelling Spirit, we shall not be able to hold our peace. If we have tasted and seen that

the Lord is good we shall have something to tell. . . . There will be an intensity of desire

to follow in the path that Jesus trod.”—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, pp. 78, 79.

Thus, our subject for this quarter.

Dan Solís was born in Texas, U.S.A., the grandson of a sharecropper and migrant farm

worker. He holds graduate degrees from Andrews University and Reformed Theological

Seminary and has served the church as a pastor, conference departmental director, and

college professor. He and his wife, Cindy, an elementary school teacher, have three adult

children serving the Lord in Washington, California, and Tennessee.

A comprehensive under-

standing of discipleship is

incomplete until it incor-

porates a passionate desire

to follow Jesus and, as a

supernatural result, a pas-

sionate desire to lead oth-

ers to Christ, as well.

ach quarter, your church receives an ofﬁcial 13th

Sabbath Offering DVD containing 11 feature stories,

a children’s story, music, and many extras—professionally

produced and provided by Adventist Mission.

Get yours absolutely free at

www.adventistmission.org/dvd

Eight Years Later,

the Mission DVD

is Still FREE!

14-2-ABSG DVD Ad BW.indd 1 8/28/13 11:55 AM

Miss prayer meeting?

If you missed the 7:00 prayer meeting in your church, you can still join the virtu-

al prayer chain of believers who are praying at 7 am and 7 pm, seven days a week,

for the Holy Spirit’s presence in our families, leaders, churches, and communi-

ties. By praying wherever you are, at any hour, on the hour, you will unite with

thousands of others who are praying where they are around the world.

“A chain of earnest praying believers should

encircle the world . . .to pray for the Holy Spirit”

(Review and Herald, January 3, 1907).

Join a prayer meeting like no other!

Please pray for:

• The 630 cities around the world being

reached through Mission to the Cities

• The thousands of outreach

activities and events that will take

place in and around the cities

• The strongholds of Satan to be

broken, and relationships with

Christ to be established

• The church members and church

leaders working in these cities

• The people yet to be reached with

the Gospel

• The harvest of souls in the cities

where seeds have been planted

• The work on this earth to be

ﬁnished, and for Christ to come

For a list of cities and more information, go to:

www.MissiontotheCities.org and www.RevivalandReformation.org/777.

ach quarter, your church receives an ofﬁcial 13th

Sabbath Offering DVD containing 11 feature stories,

a children’s story, music, and many extras—professionally

produced and provided by Adventist Mission.

Get yours absolutely free at

www.adventistmission.org/dvd

Eight Years Later,

the Mission DVD

is Still FREE!

14-2-ABSG DVD Ad BW.indd 1 8/28/13 11:55 AM

Miss prayer meeting?

If you missed the 7:00 prayer meeting in your church, you can still join the virtu-

al prayer chain of believers who are praying at 7 am and 7 pm, seven days a week,

for the Holy Spirit’s presence in our families, leaders, churches, and communi-

ties. By praying wherever you are, at any hour, on the hour, you will unite with

thousands of others who are praying where they are around the world.

“A chain of earnest praying believers should

encircle the world . . .to pray for the Holy Spirit”

(Review and Herald, January 3, 1907).

Join a prayer meeting like no other!

Please pray for:

• The 630 cities around the world being

reached through Mission to the Cities

• The thousands of outreach

activities and events that will take

place in and around the cities

• The strongholds of Satan to be

broken, and relationships with

Christ to be established

• The church members and church

leaders working in these cities

• The people yet to be reached with

the Gospel

• The harvest of souls in the cities

where seeds have been planted

• The work on this earth to be

ﬁnished, and for Christ to come

For a list of cities and more information, go to:

www.MissiontotheCities.org and www.RevivalandReformation.org/777.

*December 28–January 3

Disciples and Scripture

Sabbath afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study:

Luke 4:1–12, Matt. 12:3–8,

Matt. 5:17–39, Luke 24:13–32, Acts 1:16–20.

Memory Text:

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye

have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39).

sing a metal detector purchased from a rummage sale,

Englishman Terry Herbert discovered gold-plated Anglo-

Saxon weaponry and silver artifacts buried beneath a farmer’s

field. The estimated monetary value of the find exceeded $5 million

in U.S. dollars.

Like someone seeking treasure in a field of dirt, rocks, and rubbish,

we must be careful not to let things get in our way and make us miss

the real treasure above: Jesus Christ. Searching for eternal riches,

Pharisees and Sadducees alike “excavated” the ancient sacred writ-

ings. Ironically, their treasure map, Scripture, had been so radically

misread that they missed the point—Jesus—completely.

Explicitly and implicitly Jesus incorporated Scripture into His

disciple-making methodology. The ultimate “treasure quest” was rooted

in the prophetic writings, which pointed to Him. Thus, to miss Jesus is

to miss the mark. All this means, then, is that all our disciple-making

endeavors must, ultimately, be about Jesus and that which He has done

for us.

* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 4.

Lesson

December 29

Jesus and the Bible

Because Jesus is the example for all believers, His level of commit-

ment to Scripture becomes more than a matter of passing interest.

Read

Luke 4:1–12 and 16–21. What do these passages suggest about

Christ’s attitude toward the Bible?

________________________________________________________

The narrative of Christ’s wilderness temptations shows that, by quot-

ing Scripture, Jesus rebuffed every satanic challenge and invitation. The

Scripture scrolls were not likely available to Christ during this 40-day

desert sojourn. This clearly indicates that Christ had committed sub-

stantial portions of Scripture to memory. While the Scriptures quoted

in the wilderness were taken from the writings of Moses, Jesus quotes

elsewhere from the other parts of the Hebrew Scriptures (Matt. 21:42,

22:44). Clearly, Christ had a widespread knowledge of Scripture.

Notice, however, that Christ understands that the Scriptures are more

than just a tool for overcoming temptation and achieving personal

holiness. Jesus recognizes that Scripture points to Him. During the

synagogue visit recorded in Luke 4:16–30, Jesus quotes Isaiah and

then declares that this text points to Himself as the One anointed to

release the oppressed and proclaim freedom. Jesus understood that He

fulfilled Messianic prophecy. Thus, Jesus not only understood that the

Bible pointed to Him, but early on in His ministry He used the Bible to

point others to Him, as well.

Though it’s important to know the Bible, that alone isn’t enough.

Some of the biggest-name Bible scholars have not even been

believing Christians. Thus, we need to ask ourselves, How can

we make sure that our study and reading of the Bible help us to

come to a better knowledge of Jesus and what He has done for

us? That is, how can we make Bible study something that trans-

forms our lives?

______________________________________________________

sunday

December 30

The Authority of Scripture

Read

the following texts. What do they tell us about the way in which

Jesus viewed the Bible? Matt. 5:17–20, 12:3–8, 15:3–11, John 10:34–37,

17:14–19, Luke 24:44.

________________________________________________________

Whenever Christ debated with the religious authorities, He relied not

on abstract philosophy, not even on personal authority, but on the teach-

ings of Scripture. When determining right from wrong, Jesus based His

argument on a scriptural bedrock. When opponents challenged Christ’s

doctrinal purity, He directed them to specific passages within Scripture.

When considering practical matters, Jesus referred listeners to divine

revelation. Christ understood that His divinely ordained mission was to

accomplish that which the ancient prophets had predicted.

Contrast Christ’s exalted understanding of Scripture with the prevail-

ing attitude often exhibited among even professed Christians today.

Entire denominations have come to deem the Bible as interesting but,

basically, unreliable historical manuscripts. Everything—the six-day

Creation, the Exodus, even the bodily resurrection of Jesus (much less

a literal Second Coming)—has been called into question, or even rele-

gated to the status of myth.

The implications for discipleship are clear. Why would anyone want

to give his or her life to a cause based on nothing but myths? Instead,

people burdened with real problems need a real Savior. Otherwise, the

gospel becomes a tarnished treasure or, metaphorically, plastic coinage

covered with simulated gold. From a distance, some might be fooled,

but, upon closer examination, the plastic will suffer rejection. The only

safe course is to follow Christ’s example of exalting, honoring, and obey-

ing the Bible.

Death is no myth, is it? Nor is it just a symbol. It is one of the

harshest realities that we all face. Think through the implica-

tions, then, of any view of the Bible that treats biblical teach-

ings, such as the resurrection of Jesus or His second coming,

as mere symbols or myths. Why must we, individually and as

a church, never allow ourselves to get caught up in this satanic

trap?

Monday

December 31

Public Proclamation

Jesus attracted people to Himself in various settings, including public

ones. Scripture assumed a prominent role in Christ’s public proclama-

tions. Direct quotations and scriptural allusions filled His sermons and

public discourse.

Read

Matthew 5:17–39. In what ways do these verses show how Christ

utilized Scripture for public ministry?

________________________________________________________

During Christ’s earthly sojourn, the ordinary Israelites’ relation-

ship with Scripture was apparently highly legalistic. They looked to

Scripture for regulations and ethical guidance. Upright behavior was

considered the payment for eternal bliss. Jesus, however, overturned

their legalistic notions and substituted a heart-based religion for a sys-

tem of external controls.

Christ-centered religion is rooted in a heart transformation that leads

to ethical behavior. Ironically, some of the Pharisees had bypassed

having a living relationship with God in their haste to achieve moral

perfection. Jesus identified these shortcomings, and as a cure He beck-

oned listeners to accept Him as Savior and Master. With Jesus as the

internally controlling force, behavioral standards were not lowered but

elevated. All one has to do is read the Sermon on the Mount to see just

how elevated His moral standards were.

“As something strange and new, these words fall upon the ears of the

wondering multitude. Such teaching is contrary to all they have ever

heard from priest or rabbi. They see in it nothing to flatter their pride

or to feed their ambitious hopes. But there is about this new Teacher a

power that holds them spellbound. The sweetness of divine love flows

from His very presence as the fragrance from a flower. . . . All feel

instinctively that here is One who reads the secrets of the soul, yet

who comes near to them with tender compassion.”—Ellen G. White,

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 6.

It’s easier than we think to be legalistic, judgmental, and con-

demnatory, isn’t it? How can we protect ourselves from falling

into these common practices?

______________________________________________________

Tuesday

January 1

Personal Ministry

Examples of Christ’s public ministry abound. Equally fascinating

are Christ’s personal encounters, both with ordinary and elite members

of society. These stories offer unique insights into the centrality of

Scripture in Christ’s ministry.

Read

John 13:18–20 and Luke 10:25–28, 24:13–32. What role did

Scripture play in these passages? What purpose did Jesus have for

quoting these particular verses? What resulted from these small

group encounters with Scripture?

________________________________________________________

Repeatedly, Christ quotes Scripture in conjunction with His calls to

discipleship. This clearly implies that Jesus’ authority and credibility

rested on Scripture, not merely on personal charisma. This is seen

especially in the ways in which Jesus used the Scriptures as He worked

with the two disciples who were on the road to Emmaus.

“Beginning at Moses, the very Alpha of Bible history, Christ

expounded in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Had

He first made Himself known to them, their hearts would have been

satisfied. In the fullness of their joy they would have hungered for

nothing more. But it was necessary for them to understand the witness

borne to Him by the types and prophecies of the Old Testament. Upon

these their faith must be established. Christ performed no miracle to

convince them, but it was His first work to explain the Scriptures. They

had looked upon His death as the destruction of all their hopes. Now

He showed from the prophets that this was the very strongest evidence

for their faith.

“In teaching these disciples, Jesus showed the importance of the Old

Testament as a witness to His mission.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire

of Ages, pp. 796–799.

Dwell on Luke 24:32, especially the phrase that their “heart[s]

burn[ed] within.” What does that mean? When was the last time

your heart burned within you over the truths that we have been

given? If it hasn’t in a long time, might it be because your heart

has grown cold? If so, how can you change?

______________________________________________________

Wednesday

January 2

The Next Generation

Without a doubt, as we have seen, Jesus places a heavy emphasis on

the Bible. Never did He question the authority, veracity, or authenticity

of a single Bible text. And yet, through the centuries and even today,

many people do just that.

Read

Matthew 12:15–21, Mark 1:1–3, Acts 1:16–20, 3:22–24, and

Romans 10:10, 11. What do these texts tells us about the ways in

which the earliest Christians viewed Scripture? What lessons can

we take from them for ourselves and how we relate to the Bible?

________________________________________________________

The earliest Christian writers continued the practice of using

Scripture to authenticate the messiahship of Jesus of Nazareth. In

effect, they were saying that Christianity was inextricably connected to

God’s self-revelation through the Hebrew Scriptures.

Jesus Himself had appealed to these sacred writings. Now Christ’s

disciples were doing the same. Appeals to personal experience, miracles,

and other witnesses for Christ were important and had their place; obvi-

ously, however, nothing supplanted Scripture as the primary witness

for Jesus.

Christ’s earliest followers sought guidance from Scripture concern-

ing the church’s mission, its everyday practices, and its spiritual disci-

pline. Human speculation and guesswork were minimized; Scripture

became preeminent. Prayerful consideration of God’s revelation was

evident in church councils (see Acts 15). Scripture touched every facet

of the life of the early church.

How foolish would it be then for us, especially at the end of time, to

have any other attitude toward the Bible?

How can we all learn to make the Bible central to our faith and

use it to point us to Jesus? What are practical ways in which we

can allow the teaching of the Bible to truly impact how we live

and how we relate to others?

______________________________________________________

Thursday

January 3

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, “Bible Teaching and Study,”

pp. 190–192, in Education; “The Walk to Emmaus,” pp. 795–801, in

The Desire of Ages; “Thessalonica,” pp. 221–230, in The Acts of the

Apostles.

“Christ in His ministry had opened the minds of His disciples to

these prophecies.... Peter in preaching Christ had produced his evi-

dence from the Old Testament. Stephen had pursued the same course.

And Paul also in his ministry appealed to the scriptures foretelling the

birth, sufferings, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. By the

inspired testimony of Moses and the prophets he clearly proved the

identity of Jesus of Nazareth with the Messiah and showed that from

the days of Adam it was the voice of Christ which had been speaking

through patriarchs and prophets.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the

Apostles, pp. 221, 222.

Discussion Questions:

 What are some practical ways in which you can incorporate

Scripture into your daily routine? How can you use the Bible in your

personal witnessing?

 Why did Jesus emphasize scriptural interpretation rather than

miracles and personal charisma? What happens if music, the health

message, social functions, or anything else, replaces the Bible as

being central to our faith?

 How dependent on Scripture must today’s Christians become?

Evaluate the importance of Scripture in your church’s life regard-

ing the establishment of priorities, the channeling of resources,

and faithfulness to mission.

 Dwell on the fact that we have no indication in the Bible of any

Bible writers ever calling into question the veracity or authenticity

of any other texts. Why should that be so important to us, today, at

a time when so many people, including many Bible scholars, seem

to have made it their first priority to challenge the truth of the

Bible at every level?

Fri day

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.

Web site: www.AdventistMission.org

tory

inside

Farmer Hildo’s Dream

Farmer Hildo arrived in a sleepy town in central Brazil and thanked the

man who had given him a ride. He lifted his small bag of clothes and box

of herbal medicines from the cargo area of the truck and stepped to the side

of the dirt road. Hildo lived far from town and came a few times a year to

sell his herbal medicines door-to-door and to share his faith with those who

would listen.

Farmer Hildo had become a Seventh-day Adventist several years earlier;

although there was no church nearby, he faithfully kept the Sabbath and

saved his tithe and offerings until he could attend a church.

During his visits to town, Hildo had met 10 people who either were

Adventists or knew something about Adventists. He invited them to meet

with him whenever he was in town. One couple owned a cybercafé and

offered to meet there to watch Sabbath School and church programs on the

Internet. Hildo urged everyone he knew to come.

The small group asked the mission office for a pastor to help them

organize and grow into a congregation. The closest pastor already had one

church and 13 companies, but he met with the believers. He helped them

organize evangelistic meetings and taught them how to visit people and

share God’s Word with them. The little congregation spent two weeks visit-

ing homes and inviting people to attend the meetings.

Farmer Hildo was thrilled when 150 people attended the evangelistic

series and 33 were baptized. The pastor trained the members to follow up

on interests, and soon the group of believers could no longer fit in a home.

With the help of the mission, they rented a hall in which to meet.

The new family of believers was a dream come true for Farmer Hildo,

who had worked and prayed and longed for a church for so long. When the

church became a reality, he said, “I’ve been praying for the church for 16

years.”

Farmer Hildo didn’t live to see the little congregation worship in its

own church, but the believers are working hard to make his dream—and

theirs—a reality. Part of a recent Thirteenth Sabbath Offering is helping

this congregation purchase or build

their own simple worship center so

they won’t have to move whenever

the rent goes up. Thank you for

helping Farmer Hildo’s dream of

a church in this once-dark area to

become a reality.

Some members of the company Farmer

Hildo helped establish in Ruberval, Brazil.

Discipling Through

Metaphor

Sabbath afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study:

2Sam. 12:1–7, Isa. 28:24–28,

Matt. 7:24–27, 13:1–30, Luke 20:9–19.

Memory Text:

“Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in par-

ables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So

was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: ‘I will open my

mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the

world’” (Matthew 13:34, 35, NIV).

hristianity is reasonable and logical. Intellect should be cul-

tivated. Intellect alone, however, insufficiently expresses the

complete human personality. Unlike robots, which are pro-

grammed to process reason and logic, humans are capable of loving,

feeling, hurting, crying, caring, laughing, and imagining. Thus, Jesus

framed eternal truths in ways that went beyond mere intellect alone.

Jesus spoke through concrete pictures drawn from everyday life in

order to reach people where they were. Children and adults could

understand deep truths delivered through parables wrapped in images

and metaphors.

Meanwhile, complex concepts such as justification, righteousness,

and sanctification were easily grasped through the Master Storyteller’s

art. In other words, concepts that are often difficult to grasp in ordinary

language can be taught through symbols and metaphors.

* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 11.

*January 4–10

Lesson

January 5

Old Testament Examples

Read

2Samuel 12:1–7, Isaiah 28:24–28, Jeremiah 13:12–14, and Ezekiel

15:1–7. How do these parables and allegories expand our under-

standing of God’s relationship with humankind? Which objects or

settings utilized by these prophets later appear in Christ’s parables?

________________________________________________________

As we can see, Nathan tells a parable in order to disguise the real pur-

pose of his visit. David implicates himself as the transgressor, thereby

pronouncing his own sentence. Using a literary device (a parable),

Nathan accomplishes something that otherwise might have produced

confrontation and, perhaps, even execution (his own!).

Isaiah’s poetic story draws from the agricultural background famil-

iar to his listeners. Centuries later, Jesus would employ those same

settings. Isaiah’s parable teaches about God’s unlimited mercy dur-

ing times of punishment. The twelfth chapter of Hebrews likewise

understands God’s punishments as tools for correction rather than

weapons for vengeance. Divine punishments reflected their redemptive

purposes; they were sufficient to encourage repentance, revival, and

reformation. Nevertheless, when greater stubbornness and rebellion

occurred, greater punishments followed.

Jeremiah’s parable is a terrifying illustration of judgment. Whenever

human beings frustrate God’s redemptive purpose, God eventually

releases them to the consequences that they have chosen. Christ like-

wise shares judgment parables with His listeners. Ezekiel uses a differ-

ent symbol to convey a similar message.

What is it about storytelling that makes it such a powerful way

to express truth? What are some of your favorite stories, and why

do you like them? Bring your answer to class on Sabbath.

______________________________________________________

sunday

January 6

Architectural Wisdom

Read

Matthew 7:24–27. What do these verses contribute to our under-

standing of Christian discipleship? Why do you think Jesus used

this example from nature to teach such a crucial truth?

________________________________________________________

Modern literate societies take literacy for granted. However, even

today, numerous nonliterate societies exist. Throughout ancient his-

tory, literacy was the exception rather than the rule. Ruling classes and

literary specialists (scribes) obtained their power through their skill in

reading. Thus, Jesus framed His messages within forms that everyday,

nonliterate people could understand. (Obviously, literate listeners could

also understand them.)

Prior to Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press, manuscripts, in

most places in the world, were handwritten—a time-consuming pro-

cess. Relatively few could afford to obtain such valuable commodities.

Therefore, oral communication through legends, parables, and similar

devices became the standard for the conveyance of information.

God offers salvation for the entire human race. Should it be surpris-

ing, then, that Christ used forms of communication that could reach the

greatest number of people? Oral tradition, transferred from generation

to generation through simple stories, became the currency of redemp-

tive thought.

Read

Luke 14:27–33. What lessons can we glean from these stories? How

do the metaphors here illuminate our understanding of discipleship?

________________________________________________________

Building entails preparation. Cost estimates are developed long before

actual construction commences. Discipleship likewise involves prepara-

tion. Miraculous feedings, spectacular healings, and apparent success

could lead prospective disciples to assume that following Jesus was easy.

Jesus encouraged His listeners, however, to study the complete picture.

Self-sacrifice, suffering, humiliation, and rejection constituted consider-

able costs. Notice once again that Jesus chose to convey this message

using metaphorical language when He could have just offered a checklist

of specific drawbacks that His disciples might encounter.

Monday

January 7

Agricultural Analogies

Read

Matthew 13:1–30. What was Jesus teaching His audience about

discipleship? What lessons can modern Christians derive from

these metaphors?

________________________________________________________

Christ’s parable of the sower is familiar to many readers. The setting

for the story was commonplace for an agrarian society, something to

which Jesus’ listeners could easily relate. The connection with disciple-

ship is obvious. Essentially Jesus is challenging His listeners to evalu-

ate their standing as disciples. Rather than confronting each individual

specifically, He speaks through parables, inviting disciples to confront

themselves. Looking into their soul’s mirror, they can evaluate their

materialistic tendencies, review their capacity for perseverance, ana-

lyze their worldly entanglements, and choose the lifestyle of uncom-

promising discipleship.

At the same time, true discipleship places judgment (condemnation)

in the hands of the Master, not those of the disciple. Human discern-

ment is incomplete, human knowledge partial. God alone possesses

faultless understanding. Jesus warns, too, that satanic infiltration does

happen. Disciples cannot surrender their judgment (discernment) to

other professed believers because these believers may be weeds, not

wheat. Both grow together until harvesttime.

“In Christ’s parable teaching the same principle is seen as in His own

mission to the world. That we might become acquainted with His divine

character and life, Christ took our nature and dwelt among us. Divinity

was revealed in humanity; the invisible glory in the visible human

form. Men could learn of the unknown through the known; heavenly

things were revealed through the earthly.”—Ellen G. White, Christ’s

Object Lessons, p. 17.

In the parable of the sower, Jesus talked about the “deceitfulness

of riches.” What was He talking about? How can “riches” deceive

even those who don’t have them?

______________________________________________________

Tuesday

January 8

The Revolutionary’s War

Christ’s ministry was revolutionary but without common weapons.

His tools were infinitely more powerful than were swords or knives.

Life-changing words, frequently expressed through parables and meta-

phors, became His not-so-secret weapons in the fight against evil.

Christ’s tactics and strategies caught many leaders off guard; they

were ill-equipped to counter the power of His appeal to the masses.

Many of His parables contained messages that worked against the

leaders. The religious leaders rightly saw that their influence would

be largely curtailed wherever Christ’s message penetrated the people’s

hearts.

Read

Matthew 21:28–32 and Luke 14:16–24, 20:9–19. What powerful

messages come through these parables? Though the parables were

often directed to specific people, what principles here apply to us,

no matter who we are?

________________________________________________________

“The parable of the vineyard applies not alone to the Jewish nation. It

has a lesson for us. The church in this generation has been endowed by

God with great privileges and blessings, and He expects corresponding

returns.”—Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 296.

No question, we have been greatly blessed by the Lord: redeemed

by the blood of Christ, promised salvation based on His righteous-

ness (not our own), given the assurance of eternal life, and offered

the Holy Spirit—we have been provided with so much. It is easy,

however, to forget all that we have, to take it for granted, or to even

scoff at it. Like the vinedressers in the parable, we might not even

realize the implications of that which we are doing. In the end, their

ignorance didn’t excuse them on Judgment Day. It won’t excuse us,

either.

How often have you been deceived in the past about your own

spiritual state? What have you learned from those experiences

that could help you to avoid making the same mistakes again?

______________________________________________________

Wednesday

Christ’s Creative Legacy

After the record of Christ’s ministry is completed, the telling of

parables seems to have disappeared from Scripture. What explains this

phenomenon? Certainly, the largest remaining segment of the New

Testament centers around Paul. Fourteen New Testament books have

been attributed to Paul, and nearly half of Luke’s historical narrative

in Acts revolves almost exclusively around Paul, as well. Though he

didn’t use stories in the way that Jesus did, Paul still made considerable

use of metaphors, similes, and other creative devices (see Rom. 7:1–6,

1 Cor. 3:10–15, 2 Cor. 5:1–10). Though Paul was no storyteller, his

presentations were neither boring nor without color. Stylistic differ-

ences between Christ’s public discourse and Paul’s obviously exist, but

both exhibit considerable expressive creativity.

Other New Testament writers demonstrate a somewhat closer affin-

ity to Christ’s use of parables. Jesus’ brother James wrote, “Suppose a

man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring” (James 2:2, NIV)

to begin a narrative lesson. Yet, neither Christ’s brother nor any other

disciple utilized stories as extensively as did Christ. Simile and sym-

bolism, however, are widespread. “He will pass away like a wild flower”

(James 1:10, NIV). “Take ships as an example” (James 3:4, NIV). Peter’s

vision (Acts 10) assumed symbolic form. Symbolic narratives shape

significant portions of the book of Revelation. “When the dragon saw

that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman” (Rev.

12:13, NIV).

Select

a couple of the following texts and identify the metaphors

within them. What are the various messages contained within these

verses? What imagery is used to convey the message? Acts 10:9–16,

James 3:3–12, Rev. 12:7–17, 18:9–20, 19:11–16.

________________________________________________________

However they are expressed, the principle remains the same: meta-

phors, similes, parables, allegories, and other examples of creative

language enable us to communicate in an understandable manner.

Building upon the listener’s experiences, Christ and His disciples used

comparisons and illustrations that stimulated an understanding of truth.

We should, when appropriate, not be afraid to do the same.

Thursday

January 9

January 10

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, “Teaching in Parables,” pp. 17–27,

in Christ’s Object Lessons.

“Jesus desired to awaken inquiry. He sought to arouse the careless,

and impress truth upon the heart. Parable teaching was popular, and

commanded the respect and attention, not only of the Jews, but of the

people of other nations....

“Again, Christ had truths to present which the people were unpre-

pared to accept or even to understand. For this reason also He taught

them in parables. By connecting His teaching with the scenes of life,

experience, or nature, He secured their attention and impressed their

hearts. Afterward, as they looked upon the objects that illustrated His

lessons, they recalled the words of the divine Teacher....

“Jesus sought an avenue to every heart. By using a variety of illustra-

tions, He not only presented truth in its different phases, but appealed

to the different hearers.”—Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons,

pp. 20, 21.

Discussion Questions:

 In class, share your answer to Sunday’s question. What can you

learn from each other’s stories?

 Jesus used images and metaphors from things with which His

hearers were very familiar. What could you use from your own

culture that could help convey spiritual truths?

 Though Jesus used metaphors from mostly agricultural set-

tings, much of early Christianity was urban in nature. What

“urban” images does one find in the writings of Paul or any of the

other New Testament writers?

 Think through the elements that make a good story. What are

they? How do they work? How can we learn to use these elements

in our witness?

 Read Luke 16:19–31. What kind of story did Jesus use here?

What lessons can we take from it about the use of fiction in the

conveying of spiritual messages?

Fri day

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.

Web site: www.AdventistMission.org

tory

inside

Chipo’s Choice

Chipo is ten years old and lives in southern Zambia. Her parents

didn’t practice any faith. But when her neighbors invited her to attend

church with them, she went. She loved learning about God and went to

church whenever she could.

But Chipo’s father became angry when he learned that Chipo was

attending the Seventh-day Adventist Church. “Stay away from that

church,” he warned her. “Or I will punish you.” But Chipo loved Jesus

and wanted to worship Him. So when her father wasn’t home, she

would go to church. Her father found out and punished her harshly.

But her father’s punishment didn’t keep Chipo from attending

church and learning more about Jesus, who loves her. Almost every

week, her father would punish her.

“Why do you keep going to church when Father punishes you?”

Chipo’s sister asked.

“God loves me, and I want to be His child,” Chipo explained. The

next Sabbath Chipo’s sister went to church with her. When their father

discovered that the girls had gone to church, he followed them and

chased them home and punished them. Chipo’s sister was afraid to

attend church when their father was home, but Chipo went.

Chipo’s mother asked Chipo why she continued going to church

when her father punished her. “I’ve learned that Jesus loves me, and I

love Jesus!” she added. The next week her mother went to church with

Chipo. She wanted to see for herself what was so special. The pastor’s

sermon seemed to be just for her, and Chipo’s mother decided to attend

church again. When Chipo’s father returned home, her mother told her

husband what she had heard. She told him that she wanted to attend

church again and invited him to go with her. He refused, but he allowed

his wife and the girls to go. Chipo began praying that God would help

her father want to join the family at church.

A few weeks later, Chipo’s mother again invited her husband to go

to church, and he went, though he didn’t seem happy. But after church

he apologized to Chipo and said he would attend church with the fam-

ily. A few months later, Chipo’s parents were baptized. Now instead of

chasing her from the church, Chipo’s father walks to church with her.

“God helped me to be faithful, even when Father punished me,”

Chipo said. “God helped me bring my whole family to Jesus.”

Our faithfulness to God in worship, in prayer, and in giving our mis-

sion offerings, makes a difference in the lives of others. Thank you for

giving to missions to reach others for Christ.

Discipleship and Prayer

Sabbath afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study:

Dan. 9:2–19; Matt. 14:22, 23;

26:36; John 17:6–26; Heb. 2:17; 1Pet. 4:7.

Memory Text:

“‘I do not pray for these alone, but also for those

who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one,

as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in

Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me’” (John 17:20, 21,

NKJV).

hatever else we do in the work for souls, whatever outreach

programs we create, we are to earnestly pray for those whom

we are seeking to reach. This is central to what it means to

be a Christian, even more so a disciple-maker. What powerful changes

might occur if constant, fervent prayer was central to our methodology

in seeking to make and keep disciples!

“Let the workers grasp the promises of God, saying, ‘Thou hast

promised, “Ask, and ye shall receive.” I must have this soul converted

to Jesus Christ.’ Solicit prayer for the souls for whom you labor; pre-

sent them before the church as objects for the supplication.... Select

another and still another soul, daily seeking guidance from God, laying

everything before Him in earnest prayer, and working in divine wis-

dom.”—Ellen G. White, Medical Ministry, pp. 244, 245.

* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 18.

*January 11–17

Lesson

January 12

Time-tested Compassion

Frequently, prayer assumes a self-centered posture. Believers pre-

sent their wish lists before God, hoping to get that which they ask for.

Though, of course, we are told to set our petitions before God, some-

times our motives are not pure. After all, are not our hearts corrupt,

wicked, and deceitful? Might not our prayers, at times, simply reflect

the sinfulness that lies within?

Intercessory prayer, however, focuses on another person’s needs,

thus removing the likelihood of selfish motivation. Throughout his-

tory, intercessory prayers have represented the highest expressions of

spiritual discourse. Untainted by the desire for personal gratification,

these conversations demonstrate selflessness, compassion, and earnest

longing for the salvation of others.

Read

Daniel 9:2–19. What burdens Daniel throughout this prayer?

What role does confession play within the prayer? Because of his

advanced age, Daniel would not likely personally benefit from

Jerusalem’s restoration. Therefore, what motivated this prayer?

________________________________________________________

Seventy years have passed since Jeremiah uttered the prophecy

that Daniel now considers. After so many years, Daniel’s Jerusalem

friends have likely already perished. Jerusalem’s restoration would

not restore Daniel’s personal fortunes, either. Nothing in Daniel’s

prayer suggests selfish concerns. The ancient prophet expressly

implores God regarding the future of the exiled Jewish nation and

the reputation of Jehovah Himself. Extended confession precedes his

requests. In confession, Daniel includes himself among the disobedi-

ent. The prophet is unwilling to presume his own innocence. Daniel

himself takes responsibility while primarily pursuing restoration in

order to benefit others.

Think about your prayer life: what you pray for, why, and for

whom. How much death to self is involved in it? How can you

learn to be less self-centered in your prayer life? That is, how can

your prayers, even the ones for yourself, be less selfish?

______________________________________________________

sunday

January 13

Time for Prayer

Think through what prayer really is: fallen, sinful beings, worthy

of death, are able, instantly, to have direct communication with the

Creator of the universe—our Holy God.

Also, when God in Christ clothed Himself in human flesh, accepting

humanity’s limitations, He, too, sensed the necessity of prayer. Though

not standing before the Father in the same position that we as fallen

sinners are, Jesus as a human still saw the necessity for prayer.

Read

Matthew 14:22, 23; 26:36; Mark 1:35–37; and Luke 5:15, 16; 6:12,

13. What characterized Jesus’ personal prayer life? Describe the

circumstances that surrounded Jesus’ praying. What lessons can we

glean from the particulars of Christ’s prayer life, such as the fre-

quency, location, and timing?

________________________________________________________

Christ certainly modeled the prayer life that He enjoined on His dis-

ciples. Mornings, evenings, after preaching, before preaching, whenever

possible—Jesus prayed. Gardens, mountains, solitary places, wherever

distractions subsided—Jesus prayed. Separated from the Father’s pres-

ence spatially, Jesus united with the Father through prayer spiritually.

Christ’s spiritual lifeblood came coursing through the spiritual artery

of prayer. Should Christ’s modern followers—weakened by sinful

tendencies, choked by worldly cares, frustrated by failures—settle for

something less than Jesus’ prayer life?

“Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it

is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order

to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but

brings us up to Him.”—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 93.

Read Mark 11:22–26, Luke 11:13, John 14:12–14. How are we to

understand the promises written here about prayer? How have

you experienced what Jesus said here? At the same time, how

have you learned to cope when things you have prayed for haven’t

happened the way that you had hoped?

______________________________________________________

Monday

January 14

Timeless Teaching

Prayer miraculously bonds finite souls with their infinite Creator.

Prayer is spiritual adhesive. Bonded with the heavenly Father, believers

transcend their earthly natures and sinful tendencies. This transforma-

tion separates them from the world. Should Satan successfully recast

prayer into a self-centered mold, thus robbing prayer of its potential

for our transformation, we might be powerfully compromised and our

witness stymied.

Read

Matthew 6:7, 8; 7:7–11; 18:19, 20. What do these verses teach us

about prayer?

________________________________________________________

The sincere believer trusts in God’s ability to honor His promises.

Never has anyone lodged a request that intimidates God. His authority

is unlimited, His strength unmatched. God’s people approach heaven’s

portals with trust in the Lord—that He will do what is best for us, even

if we can’t see it at the time. Faith is not simply trusting in what we can

see; true faith is trusting God when we can’t see the outcome that we

want and anticipate (see Heb. 11:1–7). No doubt, as long as you serve

the Lord, as long as you walk in faith, you will have to trust in God

even when you don’t see things working out as you had hoped, or even

prayed for. Even a quick reading of the Bible will show you that you

will not be alone, either.

Read

Matthew 6:9–15, 26:39. What do these verses teach?

________________________________________________________

Trust should not be confused with arrogance or insolence. Boldly

approaching God’s throne involves no sense of entitlement. The

believer’s demeanor is characterized by boldness and humility. In

Gethsemane, Christ plainly declared His preference but concluded,

“‘Not My will, but Yours’” (Luke 22:42, NKJV). In addition to com-

plete surrender, a forgiving spirit is another indication of humility. We

ourselves, having been forgiven so much, must do the same to others.

Are you angry with someone, finding it hard to forgive? Take it to

the Lord in prayer. Pray for yourself that you will learn to forgive.

Pray for that person. Over time, what do you think will happen?

______________________________________________________

Tuesday

January 15

Timeless Compassion

Christ was the embodiment of perfection; that is, all God’s perfec-

tions were revealed in Him. Thus, was anyone ever more compassionate

than Christ? Who possessed a stronger desire than Jesus to alleviate

human distress?

We, therefore, ask, What relationship did Christ’s compassion and

intercession have with discipleship?

Read

Luke 22:31, 32 and John 17:6–26 (see also Heb. 2:17). How did

Jesus’ identification with humanity influence His intercessory

prayers? What are the ultimate objectives of Christ’s intercessory

prayers?

________________________________________________________

Jesus could effectively intercede on His disciples’ behalf because He

was actively engaged in their lives, thoroughly understood them, and

passionately desired their good. Effective intercession today demands

nothing less. The twenty-first century disciple-maker will discard

time-consuming pursuits that interfere with his or her relationships

with lost souls. Making money, achieving fame, even educational

excellence must become subservient to the greater goal of the redemp-

tion of the lost. This is an important truth that so easily slips from

sight, because we are so often caught in the daily grind of living.

Jesus invested Himself in the lives of His disciples. He visited their

homes, became acquainted with their relatives, spent leisure time in

their company, and worked alongside them. Nothing significant to

their lives escaped His notice. Disciple-making today requires more

than tract distribution and airtight biblical argumentation. Praying in

a sympathetic consciousness of another’s distress, and with a passion-

ate desire to alleviate that distress, is still the standard of intercessory

prayer in effective disciple-making.

Though it can sound quaint, there’s a lot of truth in the statement

“People care little about what you know until they know how much you

care.”

Wednesday

Timeless Compassion Replicated

The sincerest offering of praise is imitation. Christ’s earliest disciples

imitated their Master’s prayer life. Naturally, they prayed for personal

safety, for their daily necessities, and for individual spiritual guidance.

Nevertheless, intercessory prayer became an important component of

their discipleship.

Read

Acts 1:13, 14; 1Timothy 2:1–4; James 5:13–16; 1John 5:16; Jude

20–22; and 1Peter 4:7. What role did prayer assume in the early

church? What were some of the specific situations for which they

prayed? What can we learn from these examples?

________________________________________________________

Constant prayer anchored the early church. Whenever Paul departed

for missionary purposes, he was commissioned through prayer (Acts

13:3, 14:23). Even their farewells were clothed in prayer (Acts 20:36,

21:5) Frequently their prayers assumed the form of intercession. They

prayed for government leaders, fellow believers, and, generally speak-

ing, everyone! Paul interceded for the father of Publius, the chief

official who suffered from dysentery. Even when he lay dying, Stephen

interceded for his murderers. The centrality of prayer among the earli-

est believers can hardly be overstated. Scripture says that prayer pleases

God because He desires salvation for everyone and seeks the advance-

ment of truth. Through prayer—combined with apostolic teaching, fer-

vent preaching, miraculous wonders, and loving fellowship—the early

church rapidly multiplied. Despite vigorous persecution, Christianity

enveloped the empire. Thousands upon thousands accepted the gospel.

Transformed lives burned as living lights from Caesar’s palace to points

unknown.

How much time do you spend in intercessory prayer? Think

through your answer. Better yet, perhaps the question should be,

How much more time should you spend in intercessory prayer?

______________________________________________________

Thursday

January 16

January 17

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, “A Reformatory Movement,”

p. 126, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9; “By Personal Efforts and

Living Faith,” pp. 244, 245, in Medical Ministry.

“He who does nothing but pray will soon cease to pray, or his prayers

will become a formal routine. When men take themselves out of social

life, away from the sphere of Christian duty and cross bearing; when

they cease to work earnestly for the Master, who worked earnestly for

them, they lose the subject matter of prayer and have no incentive to

devotion. Their prayers become personal and selfish. They cannot pray

in regard to the wants of humanity or the upbuilding of Christ’s king-

dom, pleading for strength wherewith to work.”—Ellen G. White, Steps

to Christ, p. 101.

Discussion Questions:

 Why does an absence of intercessory prayer stunt the growth

of the church? Conversely, how does an active intercessory prayer

life stimulate disciple-making activity? What are the keys to effec-

tive intercessory prayer? How can the intercessor know what to

pray about?

 What should members do on behalf of those for whom they

pray that would go beyond their private petitions at home? How

can members build relationships with the neighbors, relatives, and

coworkers for whom they pray? Why should private prayers for

others always be accompanied by sustained efforts to be friends

with those same people?

 What steps should twenty-first-century Christians take to expe-

rience dynamic prayer lives? What is the relationship between

successful disciple-making and the encountering of God’s divine

presence through prayer? Can prayer change those prayed for

without first changing those who pray for them? How might the

subject matter for prayer be altered by having passion for lost

souls? What impact does personal holiness and prayer have on the

would-be soul winner’s capacity for the sharing of truth?

 What specific things can believers do to expand their contacts

with those who have not accepted Christ? What can Christians do

to get beyond surface relationships with their peers so that they

will know specific needs for which to pray?

Fri day

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.

Web site: www.AdventistMission.org

tory

inside

Walking by Faith

Rex lay in bed, unable to move his legs. The doctor’s words hung

heavy in the air. “You’ll never walk again,” he had said.

What will happen to my family? Rex wondered. Rex knew that his own

stubbornness had put him where he was.

Two years earlier, Rex’s uncle had offered to pay his daughters’ tuition

if Rex enrolled them in the Seventh-day Adventist school. Rex agreed.

Soon the girls asked to attend Sabbath School. His wife went with them,

but Rex said he had to work.

Rex went to special meetings at church after work, and he became

convinced that what Adventists taught was the truth. But he resisted the

invitation to surrender his life to God. He smoked and he drank, and

he wasn’t sure he could quit. But he did agree to study the Bible with a

believer during his lunch hour.

When Rex’s wife wanted to be baptized, Rex urged her to do so. “I

may follow one day,” he’d said.

Then after months of studying the Bible, Rex agreed to be baptized.

He hoped that baptism would change him. But it didn’t. He was the same

man he had been before. He didn’t let God rule his life.

Then the accident changed everything. Rex had tried to solve his

problems himself. Now he was helpless. The pastor and church members

visited Rex and encouraged him to trust God. Rex prayed for forgive-

ness, and again he surrendered his life to God. But this time, he meant it.

Rex asked God for healing and promised that no matter what, he would

put his faith in God and attend church as soon as he was able.

During his months in bed, Rex spent hours praying and reading his

Bible. As he grew spiritually, he felt his body grow stronger. A year after

the accident, Rex took his first wobbly steps. Six months later, he could

walk without pain.

Rex kept his promise and attended church with his family. He praised

God for every degree of healing. He found work. It didn’t pay as much

as his old job, but Rex found that even after returning tithe and offerings,

the money went further.

“The accident that crippled me brought healing to my soul,” Rex says.

“I’m grateful that God used the Adventist school to help my family find

salvation in Jesus.”

Our mission offerings support schools, medical clinics, and many

other outreach services in India and around the world. Thank you for

giving to missions.

R and his family live in southeastern India.

Discipling Children

Sabbath afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study:

Ps. 127:3–5; Deut. 6:6, 7;

Luke 2:40–52; Matt. 18:1–6; 10–14; Mark 10:13–16.

Memory Text:

“‘Do you hear what these children are saying?’

they asked him. ‘Yes,’ replied Jesus, ‘have you never read, “From

the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise”?’ ”

(Matthew 21:16, NIV).

n our desire to preach to the world and to make disciples from every

nation, we must not forget a whole class of people—children.

Christian studies regarding children and youth differ about many

things. Nevertheless, across denominational lines one thing seems con-

sistent: the majority of Christians have committed their lives to Christ

at a relatively young age. Fewer converts come from the older populace.

Many churches apparently miss this important fact in their evangelistic

planning, directing the greatest proportion of their resources toward the

adult population. Christ’s earliest disciples also seem to have underes-

timated the value of children’s ministry. Jesus rejected that attitude and

made room for children, even giving them priority.

Hence, we must do the same.

* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 25.

*January 18–24

Lesson

January 19

The Hebrew Child’s Advantage

Hebrew children enjoyed special treatment when compared with

their ancient counterparts from surrounding nations. Child sacrifice

as divine appeasement had permeated many cultures. Otherwise,

children’s value was often measured by their economic contributions

to society. Work productivity, not intrinsic worth, defined their rela-

tionship with the adult world. It is painful to say that some of these

attitudes, especially when it comes to economic worth, are found even

in our present world. Truly, the day of wrath must come.

Evidently Israel’s apostasy affected the population’s estimate of

children. Manasseh’s dalliance with witchcraft and other national reli-

gions induced the sacrificing of his sons (2 Chron. 33:6). Nevertheless,

Manasseh’s reign was the exception rather than the rule; under more

spiritual leadership, Israelites greatly valued their offspring.

Read

Psalm 127:3–5; 128:3–6; Jeremiah 7:31; Deuteronomy 6:6, 7.

What do these texts suggest about God’s estimate of children? How

might a proper understanding of Scripture affect our relationships

with children?

________________________________________________________

Education, birthright, and many other cultural practices clearly dem-

onstrated how valuable children were in the ancient Hebrew culture.

Not surprisingly, Christ expanded the already exalted position of chil-

dren, as compared with surrounding cultures, to new dimensions. After

all, children are human beings, and Christ’s death was for every person,

whatever their age—a point we should never forget.

It’s hard to believe that there are adults so corrupted, so evil,

so degraded that they hurt children, sometimes even their own.

How can we, in whatever situation we are in, do everything we

can to love, protect, and nurture the children within our sphere

of influence?

______________________________________________________

sunday

January 20

Jesus’ Childhood

Had Jesus bypassed childhood, arriving as a full-fledged adult on

planet Earth, serious questions might be raised regarding His ability to

identify with children. Christ, however, developed as all children must,

skipping none of the developmental stages associated with growth and

maturity. He understands teenage temptations. He underwent the frailties

and insecurities of childhood. Christ encountered those challenges that,

in their own sphere, all children face. His experiencing childhood was

another crucial way in which our Savior revealed His true humanity.

Read

Luke 2:40–52. What does this teach about Jesus’ childhood?

________________________________________________________

“Among the Jews the twelfth year was the dividing line between

childhood and youth. On completing this year a Hebrew boy was

called a son of the law, and also a son of God. He was given special

opportunities for religious instruction, and was expected to participate

in the sacred feasts and observances. It was in accordance with this cus-

tom that Jesus in His boyhood made the Passover visit to Jerusalem.”

—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 75.

According to the texts, Jesus acquired wisdom. God bestowed grace

on Him. From Christ’s boyhood temple encounter during the Passover

visit, we can see that Jesus had deep scriptural wisdom. Rabbinical

teachers were markedly impressed by Jesus’ questions and answers.

God surely used multiple childhood experiences to shape that attrac-

tively flawless character. Perhaps the discipline of learning carpentry

skills, the attention of devoted parents, regular exposure to Scripture,

and His interactions with Nazareth’s townspeople formed the founda-

tion of His early upbringing. In the end, however remarkable a child

Jesus was, He had still been—as we all have been—a child.

“The child Jesus did not receive instruction in the synagogue

schools. His mother was His first human teacher. From her lips

and from the scrolls of the prophets, He learned of heavenly

things. The very words which He Himself had spoken to Moses

for Israel He was now taught at His mother’s knee.”—Ellen G.

White, The Desire of Ages, p. 70. Dwell on the incredible implica-

tions of those words. What do they teach us about the humanity

of Christ?

Monday

January 21

Healing the Children

Read

the following passages: Matthew 9:18–26, Mark 7:24–30, Luke

9:37–43, John 4:46–54. Whose children were restored in these sto-

ries? How are these children’s backgrounds similar? What differ-

ences might you detect? What lessons can we learn from these texts

that can help us today?

________________________________________________________

In all these stories, one overwhelming similarity is that, in each

case, a desperate parent came to Jesus, seeking help for a child. What

parent cannot relate? What parent hasn’t felt pain, anguish, fear, and

outright horror when a child was very sick, or even dying? For those

who have been there, there’s nothing worse.

And though Jesus Himself had not been a parent, He related enough

to them in His humanity that He healed their children. In each case,

the healing came. He turned no one away. Thus, His love, not just for

the parents but for the children, came through clearly.

Of course, this leads to a whole host of questions regarding cases

when praying and pleading parents call out to Jesus and, yet, their

children are not healed. There is, perhaps, no sadder experience than

burying children. Death should be reserved for older generations. The

unnatural order of parents mourning their children’s deaths makes

the heart revolt. During these funerals, nearly every parent asks,

“Shouldn’t it have been me?”

Mourning physical death and observing spiritual decay may be

equally painful. How many parents have agonized about children

overwhelmed by drug addiction, by pornography, or adolescent indif-

ference? Whatever the affliction, we must learn to trust in the Lord

and His goodness and love, even when things do not turn out so hap-

pily, as they did in the biblical stories listed above. Ellen G. White, a

prophet, buried two children. Our world is a rough place. Our God,

though, is a loving God, and that truth is what we must cling to, no

matter what.

Tuesday

January 22

A Fearsome Warning

Analyze

the following texts: Matthew 11:25, 26; 18:1–6, 10–14. What

truths, not just about children but about faith in general, can we

learn through these stories? Think about just how harsh Jesus’

warning was here. Why should we tremble before it?

________________________________________________________

There exists a unique genuineness within children that Jesus fre-

quently appealed to when illustrating His kingdom. Their genuineness,

humility, dependency, and innocence somehow capture the essence of

Christian living. We should all long for that simplicity and trust in liv-

ing out our faith.

Modern disciple-makers need to learn another lesson: children need

never leave their childlike dependency behind. Properly educated,

children may carry their trusting innocence into adulthood. Certainly,

as children mature and get older, they will question things, they will

have struggles and doubts and unanswered questions, as we all do.

But a childlike faith is never unfashionable. As parents, or as adults in

general, we should do all that we can to instill in children a knowledge

of God and His love, and nothing can do that more than by revealing

that love to them through our lives, our kindness, our compassion, and

our care. We can preach and sermonize all we want; in the end, as with

adults, the best way to disciple children is to live out before them the

love of God in our lives.

In cold, fearsome, and stark contrast, criminal acts against children—

especially during church-sponsored activities—can destroy a child’s

confidence about the church and, usually, about the God of the church.

What wrath must justly await those who perpetrate such actions and

those who protect the perpetrators. Christ and His message awaken

confidence and trust. How dare any human organization compromise

that childlike faith through lack of vigilance?

What is your church doing not only to nurture its children but to

make sure that they are protected in every way possible? Think

what it means when Jesus said their angels “do always behold the

face of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 18:10). Why should

that make anyone who hurts a child tremble?

______________________________________________________

Wednesday

Suffer the Little Children

Read

Mark 10:13–16. How does Christ’s acceptance of children facili-

tate their acceptance of Him? How should His rebuke of the dis-

ciples be understood? What must we take away from this account

for ourselves and how we relate to children?

________________________________________________________

Surely Christ’s disciples were well intentioned, although ignorant.

They attempted to protect His valuable time, preserving His energy for

more “important” matters. How greatly they misunderstood what Jesus

wanted them to know.

Imagine being forsaken by gruff adults only to be embraced by the

loving and caring personage of Jesus. No wonder children embraced

Him. In this story, we have been left with an invaluable example regard-

ing the ways in which children should be treated by those who profess

to be disciple-makers.

“In the children who were brought in contact with Him, Jesus saw

the men and women who should be heirs of His grace and subjects of

His kingdom, and some of whom would become martyrs for His sake.

He knew that these children would listen to Him and accept Him as

their Redeemer far more readily than would grown-up people, many

of whom were the worldly wise and hardhearted. In His teaching He

came down to their level. He, the Majesty of heaven, did not disdain

to answer their questions, and simplify His important lessons to meet

their childish understanding. He planted in their minds the seeds of

truth, which in after years would spring up, and bear fruit unto eternal

life.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp. 512–515.

How often have we met adults who suffer through so much pain,

so much turmoil, so much heartache over things that happened to

them in their childhood? What should this tell us about how gently,

carefully, prayerfully, and lovingly we should treat children?

______________________________________________________

Thursday

January 23

January 24

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, “Blessing the Children,”

pp. 511–517; “The Temple Cleansed Again,” p. 592, in The Desire of

Ages; “Baptism,” pp. 93–95, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6;

“Bible Teaching and Study,” pp. 185, 186, in Education.

“It is still true that children are the most susceptible to the teachings

of the gospel; their hearts are open to divine influences, and strong to

retain the lessons received. The little children may be Christians, having

an experience in accordance with their years. They need to be educated

in spiritual things, and parents should give them every advantage, that

they may form characters after the similitude of the character of Christ.

“Fathers and mothers should look upon their children as younger

members of the Lord’s family, committed to them to educate for

heaven. The lessons that we ourselves learn from Christ we should give

to our children, as the young minds can receive them, little by little

opening to them the beauty of the principles of heaven.”—Ellen G.

White, The Desire of Ages, p. 515.

Discussion Questions:

 Why do you think it’s true that many who accept Christ do so

when younger rather than when they are older? Skeptics could

argue that it’s because they are too naive and ignorant to realize

the silliness of what they are doing. On the other hand, could it be

because they have yet to be so hardened and tainted with cynicism

and skepticism as are many adults? That is, their innocence and

openness make them more susceptible to the promptings of the

Holy Spirit. Discuss.

 How can today’s church organize to become more Christlike

in its appeal to children? What can each member personally do to

be friendlier toward youth who may experiment with bizarre fash-

ions, unusual musical tastes, and sometimes outlandish behavior?

How can the church become more energetic, thus attracting active

youth?

 What steps may members take to prepare themselves to

respond to interested youth who desire baptism and a life- changing

commitment to Christ?

 Dwell more on the attributes of children that caused Jesus to

say “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall

not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3). What does that

text mean? At the same time, what does that not mean?

Fri day

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Web site: www.AdventistMission.org

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inside

Jonathan’s Wish

Jonathan is a quiet boy with a shy smile. He lives in a small village

in southern Mexico.

One day his neighbor, Tia Maria, invited Jonathan to go to Sabbath

School with her. Jonathan had never been to church before. His mother

said he could go, so he agreed.

On Sabbath, Jonathan and Tia Maria walked to church. He liked

Sabbath School, especially the mission story about children from far-

away lands.

When he returned home, Jonathan told his mother what he learned. He

told her the Bible stories and recited the Bible text. His mother listened

with interest. But when Jonathan asked her to go to church with him,

she said No. She said she had to work or take care of Jonathan’s baby

brother. Jonathan kept inviting her, but she kept saying No.

“Mama, Jesus wants you to come to church, and I want you to come,”

Jonathan pleaded. “All the other children sit with their parents, but I

must sit alone.” Still his mother refused to go.

When the pastor announced evangelistic meetings, Jonathan hurried

home to invite his mother to go with him. To his surprise, she agreed

to go. Every night Jonathan and his mother walked to the meetings

together. And when the pastor asked those who wanted to follow God

in baptism to stand, Jonathan stood. The pastor visited Jonathan’s

mother and explained that Jonathan wanted to be baptized. But his

mother said that he could not be baptized, because she was not a mem-

ber of the church.

Jonathan was disappointed, but he was determined to follow Jesus.

He often talked to his mother about Jesus, pleading with her to give

her heart to God.

She thought about how happy Jonathan was since he started attending

church. And he loved to read his Bible lesson and sing. She wanted the

same joy and decided to attend church with her son.

On Sabbath, Jonathan was surprised when his mother said she was

going to church with him. They walked to the little church together.

Jonathan showed his mother to her class. And during church Jonathan

was glad that he didn’t have to sit alone.

When the pastor announced an upcoming baptism, Jonathan again

asked his mother to let him be baptized. This time she said Yes. Then

she told the pastor that she wanted to be baptized too. Jonathan and his

mother were baptized together.

Our mission offerings help introduce people such as Jonathan and his

mother to Jesus. Thank you for sharing God’s love through your mission

offerings.

Discipling the Sick

Sabbath afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study:

Isa. 53:4, Matt. 8:17, Mark

2:1–12, Phil. 4:4–9, 1John 3:20–22, John 11:37–44.

Memory Text:

“Large crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the

blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and laid them at his

feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw

the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the

blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel” (Matthew 15:30,

31, NIV).

uring His ministry, Jesus devoted more time to healing the sick

than to preaching. His miracles testified to the truth of His

words, that He came not to destroy, but to save. Wherever He

went, the tidings of His mercy preceded Him. Where He had passed,

the objects of His compassion were rejoicing in health and making

trial of their new-found powers. Crowds were collecting around them

to hear from their lips the works that the Lord had wrought. His voice

was the first sound that many had ever heard, His name the first word

they had ever spoken, His face the first they had ever looked upon. Why

should they not love Jesus and sound His praise? As He passed through

the towns and cities He was like a vital current, diffusing life and joy.”

—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, pp. 19, 20.

* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 1.

*January 25–31

Lesson

January 26

The Healing Messiah

Read

Isaiah 53:4, Matthew 8:17, John 9:1–3. In what way are we to

understand these texts? What questions do they raise? What hope

do they offer us?

________________________________________________________

In antiquity, sickness was considered the result of sinful actions.

(And even today, who hasn’t at times—even if only for a moment—

wondered if illness, either one’s own or that of a loved one, wasn’t

brought on as a punishment for sin?) In the book of Job, Job’s friends

suggested that his misfortunes, which included personal illness,

resulted from hidden faults; the implication was that somehow his

sinfulness caused his predicament. Similarly, Christ’s disciples under-

stood blindness as the punishment for someone’s sinfulness. This

suggests that sickness required not diagnosis or medication but atone-

ment. Matthew references Isaiah’s Messianic prophecy, stating that

Christ fulfilled this prediction and that healing can be found in Him.

Various ancient pagan traditions included healing deities; none,

however, proposed that gods actually took the infirmities upon

themselves. Isaiah foretold a Redeemer who would assume our sick-

nesses and sinfulness. Other ancient traditions made provision for

substitutionary atonement in order to benefit royalty. Substitutes were

sacrificed in the king’s place in order to satisfy divine designs against

a king, thus transferring evil’s punishment from one individual to

another. Nowhere, however, were there traditions of kings dying as

substitutes for their subjects.

This, however, is exactly what Isaiah said, and what Matthew con-

firmed: heaven’s Royalty suffering human sicknesses. Interestingly

enough, the word translated as “griefs” in Isaiah 53:4 comes from a

Hebrew word that means, basically, “sickness” or “disease.”

Jesus recognized that His mission was both to preach deliverance

and to heal the brokenhearted (Luke 4:17–19). He attracted many

through the power that came from His love and character. Others fol-

lowed Him because they admired His easily understood preaching.

Still others became disciples because of how He treated the impover-

ished. Many, however, followed Christ because He had touched and

healed their brokenness.

We all have our broken places. How can we learn to disciple oth-

ers through sympathy in their own brokenness—a brokenness

that we can understand so well because of our own?

sunday

January 27

Healing the Body

Study

Mark 2:1–12. What can we learn regarding the connection

between physical sickness and sinfulness? What lessons should we

not take from this story, as well?

________________________________________________________

Contrary to biblical doctrine, ancient Greek philosophy separated the

spiritual (soul) and physical (body) dimensions of human existence.

Believing that human souls were immortal, many Greeks devalued

the importance of their bodies. Because bodies were temporal, pass-

ing away with time, they were considered less valuable than was the

enduring soul.

In fact, in one of the most famous texts from antiquity, Plato depicts

his teacher Socrates, who is about to face death, as waxing long and

eloquently on how corrupt and evil the body is, and that at death his

immortal soul will finally be free to do all the things that the body has

hindered it from doing.

The Bible, of course, teaches something radically different. Human

bodies are the direct creation of God, who fearfully and wonder-

fully made them (Ps. 139:14). Furthermore, bodies are not separate

from souls. Body, mind, and spirit are merely differing aspects of

human personality or existence, not independently existent entities.

Consequently, whatever affects the body affects the mind and spirit—

the other interrelated aspects of personhood. Thus, whenever Christ

healed, He was not merely eradicating cancer or curing heart disease;

He was transforming the physical, mental, and spiritual human expe-

rience.

Jesus healed more than just bodies. Christ always healed whole per-

sons. His holistic approach recognized that physical health was insepa-

rable from spiritual health. Through physical healing, He effected spiri-

tual transformation. That was, to a great degree, the whole purpose.

After all, why heal people who in the long run will die anyway and face

eternal destruction at the end of time?

Though sickness can result directly from sinful practices, so often

people, even infants, get sick for no obvious reason other than

that we are all victims of a fallen world. Why is it so important to

keep this sad truth in mind when seeking to minister to anyone

who is sick or who is agonizing over a sick loved one?

______________________________________________________

Monday

January 28

Healing the Mind and Body

Through physical healing and mental restoration, Jesus made disci-

ples. Often Christ’s patients suffered both mental and physical diseases.

Physical restoration itself was never the final objective. The ultimate

goal was always discipleship. Healing could provide twenty, fifty, per-

haps seventy-five additional quality years. Discipleship offered eternal

life with Christ.

In Luke 8:26–39, the demon-possessed man from the Gerasene region

begged to accompany Jesus. Instead, Christ commissioned him to

evangelize his family and townspeople. Having been so miraculously

delivered, he could be a powerful witness for Jesus.

Study

Matthew 6:19–34, 1Peter 5:7, 2Corinthians 4:7–10, Philippians

4:4–9, 1 John 3:20–22. How might the principles taught in these

verses relieve the anxiety, guilt, and shame that underlie many

mental illnesses?

________________________________________________________

Physical sickness is sometimes caused by mental stimuli. The rela-

tionship between mind and body is well established by medical science.

Anxiety predisposes some to stomach problems. Worry causes sleep

disorders. Uncontrollable anger factors into heart disease. Teaching

people about mental-health principles should highlight the importance

of trusting God, naturally leading them toward personal spiritual com-

mitment and full discipleship.

“Each day has its burdens, its cares and perplexities; and when we

meet how ready we are to talk of our difficulties and trials. So many

borrowed troubles intrude, so many fears are indulged, such a weight of

anxiety is expressed, that one might suppose we had no pitying, loving

Saviour ready to hear all our requests and to be to us a present help in

every time of need.”—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 121.

Though a close walk with the Lord is no guarantee of good

health, there’s no question that the peace of mind that comes

from knowing the Lord can have a positive impact on us, even

physically. What are some practical ways in which we can learn

to take the principles taught in today’s lesson and apply them to

ourselves, especially if we are prone toward worry?

______________________________________________________

Tuesday

January 29

The Resurrection and the Life

a world where death always has the final word, at least for now, what

great hope is found in these verses? Luke 7:11–17, Mark 5:21–43,

John 11:37–44.

________________________________________________________

Politicians, entertainers, and athletes must necessarily offer some-

thing to generate a following. Politicians utilize hypnotic rhetoric and

incredible promises. Entertainers use their abilities to generate emotion

and audience identification. Athletes amaze throngs with their physical

skills. Envious onlookers follow, wishing they possessed such prowess.

What does Jesus offer? Reduced unemployment? Fatter paychecks?

Amazing ball-handling skills? Incredible vocal range? Tear-jerking

performances? Instead, Jesus offers something no one else in the world

can: eternal life in a new world. In contrast to that, what else matters?

While television shopping networks insult our intelligence with their

too-good-to-be-true offers, Jesus seemingly exceeds their excesses with

His deal of a lifetime: eternal life priced for nothing with absolutely no

shipping and handling charges! Skeptics would doubtless scoff about

such an unprecedented offer. Competitors would manufacture cheap

imitations (such as Satan’s immortal-soul concept). Potential buy-

ers would cautiously investigate the claims. So, Jesus provided three

known demonstrations to counter the skeptics, expose imitations, and

satisfy genuine seekers. Jairus’s daughter, the widow’s son, and, finally,

Lazarus proved that this too-good-to-be-true offer was authentic.

Disease and accidents might initially prevail, but eternal life would ulti-

mately conquer. Healing would not happen every time it was requested,

but everlasting life was guaranteed to all who made Jesus their Savior.

It’s the same with us today. As we know, many times the healing we

want just simply does not come in the way that we want it. People lin-

ger, even for years, from debilitating and painful diseases that, far from

being healed, sometimes get worse. Others die from disease, despite

anointing and prayer. We have no answers as to why, in some cases,

healing comes now, and in others it doesn’t.

What we do have, though, is something so much better than even

a miraculous healing, and that is the promise of the resurrection to

eternal life at the end of the age, when Jesus will come and “the saints

of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom

forever, even forever and ever” (Dan. 7:18, NKJV).

Why is this promise—the promise of eternal life—so crucial and

so important to us? Where would we be without it? What hope

would you have for anything, anything at all, without it?

Wednesday

Christ’s Healing Legacy

Review

Acts 3:1–19, 5:12–16, 9:36–42, 20:7–10, 1Corinthians 12:7–9,

28–31, James 5:13–16. How should modern Christians evaluate

the importance of healing ministry to the New Testament church?

________________________________________________________

First-century disciples witnessed firsthand Christ’s promise of see-

ing “greater things than these” fulfilled (John 1:50, compare John

5:20, 14:12). Miraculous healings and resurrections attended the min-

istries of early Christianity’s most prominent disciples: Peter and Paul.

These events figured significantly in the early church’s growth. God’s

eternal presence, signified by miraculous healing, influenced thou-

sands of religious leaders to accept Christ. Their flocks often followed.

Sometimes new disciples misunderstood the divine purpose. Simon

attempted to purchase miraculous power, revealing self-centered moti-

vations (Acts 8:9–25). Most, however, recognized that the significance

of these miraculous wonders rested in the fact that they revealed God’s

presence among them. These displays of divine power proved that God

existed and that He was worthy of their praise.

Although Christ had ascended to heaven, throngs still followed Him

through the ministries of His disciples. They furthered the mission

Jesus had started. They were fulfilling the vision Christ had shared.

Clearly, health was an ongoing concern and a healing ministry an

ongoing function of Christ’s church. Healing was listed among the

spiritual gifts. Instructions for ministering God’s healing grace to

those afflicted by sickness were recorded in Scripture. These gifts

would benefit believers until Christ’s second coming, when His

personal presence would render them unnecessary. Church history

chronicles the dedication of believers to health ministry during many

different time periods. Certainly, relieving human suffering was an

important motivation. Others, however, recognized healing as the first

step toward coming to know the complete gospel.

Thursday

January 30

January 31

Further Study:

Read Luke 18:35–43; 13:10–17; 14:1–6; John 6:1,

2; Mark 6:5–7, 6:54–56; 7:31–37; 8:22–26; Matthew 8:1–17; 12:15–23.

Ellen G. White, “Our Example,” pp. 17–21; “Healing of the Soul,” pp.

73–85, in The Ministry of Healing; “The Divine Plan in the Medical

Missionary Work,” pp. 25–29, in Medical Ministry.

“The paralytic found in Christ healing for both the soul and the body.

He needed health of soul before he could appreciate health of body.

Before the physical malady could be healed, Christ must bring relief

to the mind, and cleanse the soul from sin. This lesson should not be

overlooked. There are today thousands suffering from physical disease

who, like the paralytic, are longing for the message, ‘Thy sins are for-

given.’ The burden of sin, with its unrest and unsatisfied desires, is the

foundation of their maladies. They can find no relief until they come

to the Healer of the soul. The peace which He alone can impart would

restore vigor to the mind and health to the body....

“In the home of the paralytic there was great rejoicing when he

returned to his family, carrying with ease the couch upon which he had

been slowly borne from their presence but a short time before.... Glad

thanksgiving went up from that home, and God was glorified through

His Son, who had restored hope to the hopeless and strength to the

stricken one. This man and his family were ready to lay down their

lives for Jesus.”—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, pp. 77, 79.

Discussion Questions:

 How can healing ministries open hearts and minds otherwise

closed to the gospel? How can Christians guard themselves against

the error of thinking that healing is an end in itself?

 How can churches that are not connected with hospitals par-

ticipate in healing ministry? How can Christians involved with

healing ministry avoid association in the public’s mind with so-

called faith healers?

 What do we say to those potential disciples who, reading about

the healings in the Bible, come to our churches or hospitals in

search of a healing that does not happen? What answers do we

have for them? What answers do we have for ourselves as we seek

to understand these situations? What answers are found in the

Bible that can help us at times like these?

Fri day

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Web site: www.AdventistMission.org

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inside

Claiming God’s Promise

Mama Nerea lay on her thin mattress in her humble home in west-

ern Kenya. Her family suspected that her suffering was the result of

witchcraft—a curse that someone had put on her. They visited several

witchdoctors, seeking to have the curse removed, but Mama Nerea

continued to languish. The illness had left her unable to stand or walk

and had taken her voice, as well. Even she was sure she would die.

Mama Nerea’s life had been filled with trouble. Her husband had

gone to seek work in a nearby town, leaving her to care for her chil-

dren alone. Desperate to make money, she began brewing and selling

local beer. Soon she was addicted to her own brew. When her husband

returned from town, he drank with her.

Then she became ill.

One day as Mama Nerea lay on her bed, she saw three men surround

it. One man wore a white robe. He spoke her name and comforted her.

Then he told her that she would be saved the next day.

“Koa kanye, koa kuom ng’a?” Mama Nerea asked. “Saved from what

and where?” The man in the white robe told her that the next day she

would meet two men who would lead her out of her bondage and pain

and into the light of Jesus. “You must never go back into the darkness

again,” he said.

Mama Nerea nodded.

Mama Nerea’s daughter was startled to hear her mother’s voice.

“Who are you talking to?” she asked her mother.

“Jesus has visited me,” Mama Nerea said.

The next day, two young men came to visit Mama Nerea. They told

her that God had told them to come and pray with her. The young men

were holding evangelistic meetings. They came regularly to pray with

Mama Nerea and her family.

Soon after this, Mama Nerea’s daughter found her mother standing

in the door of the hut. Over the next few months, Mama Nerea’s health

returned, and she began visiting the small Seventh-day Adventist group

in their settlement. Her husband, Johana, stopped smoking and drink-

ing and gave his heart to the Lord.

Mama Nerea and Johana became strong supporters of God’s work

and led many to Christ in their village. Recently, Johana died, and

Mama Nerea is getting old. But their testimony and their example

live on in the lives of many who have found Christ in a small town in

western Kenya.

Our mission offerings help support the work of Global Mission pio-

neers and lay evangelists throughout the world.

V N met Moses, the son of Mama Nerea, on a mission trip to Kenya.

Discipling the “Ordinary”

Sabbath afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study:

Luke 2:21–28; Matt. 15:32–39;

16:13–17; Luke 12:6, 7; 13:1–5; James 2:1–9.

Memory Text:

“Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw

Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they

were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will

make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook

their nets, and followed him” (Mark 1:16–18).

hrist’s death was the great equalizer: it showed that we all are

sinners in need of God’s grace. In light of the Cross, ethnic,

political, economic, and social barriers crumble. Sometimes,

though, in our soul winning, we forget that crucial truth, and we espe-

cially seek to win those who might be deemed “honorable” or “great”

in the eyes of the world.

Not so with Jesus, who saw the meaninglessness and emptiness of

worldly greatness and honor. In fact, in many cases, it was the most

“successful” people—the favorably positioned Pharisees, the wealthy

Sadducees, and the Roman aristocracy—who troubled Him the most.

In contrast, the “ordinary” people—carpenters, fishermen, farmers,

housewives, shepherds, soldiers, and servants—generally thronged and

embraced Him.

* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 8.

*February 1–7

Lesson

February 2

Humble Beginnings

Read

Luke 2:21–28, Mark 6:2–4, Leviticus 12:8. What do these verses

tell us about the economic class into which Jesus was born? How

would that class have influenced His ministry?

________________________________________________________

Joseph and Mary’s purification offering clearly indicated their eco-

nomically poor background. This tradition sprang from the Mosaic

legislation recorded in Leviticus 12:8, and it required that a lamb be

brought for this offering. However, a compassionate exemption had

been provided for impoverished people. Turtledoves or pigeons could

be substituted because of humble circumstances. Thus, right from the

start—from His birth in a stable to the offerings given by His parents—

Jesus is portrayed as having assumed His humanity in the home of poor

and “ordinary” people. In fact, archaeological evidence also seems to

indicate that the town of Nazareth, where Jesus spent His childhood,

was a relatively impoverished and unimportant town, as well. And

though carpentry is an honorable trade, it certainly didn’t place Him

among the “elite.”

“The parents of Jesus were poor, and dependent upon their daily toil.

He was familiar with poverty, self-denial, and privation. This experi-

ence was a safeguard to Him. In His industrious life there were no idle

moments to invite temptation. No aimless hours opened the way for

corrupting associations. So far as possible, He closed the door to the

tempter. Neither gain nor pleasure, applause nor censure, could induce

Him to consent to a wrong act. He was wise to discern evil, and strong

to resist it.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 72.

The Creator of all that was made (see John 1:1–3) entered

humanity, not just as a human being, an infant, which would

have been astonishing enough, but by way of the home of a

relatively impoverished family! How are we to respond to

something so incredible? What is the only way to respond?

______________________________________________________

sunday

February 3

Transforming the “Common”

Read

John 2:1–11 and Matthew 15:32–39. How did Jesus use sim-

ple, everyday desires and needs to make disciples and transform

lives?

________________________________________________________

“Ordinary” people share natural physical, emotional, and social

desires. They want physical nourishment, personal significance, and

friendship. Jesus understood these characteristics, placing Himself in

social situations that provided opportunities to reach people through

these universal desires.

Whether Jesus was changing water into unfermented wine from the

fruit of the vine, or turning fishermen into preachers (Mark 1:16–18),

He specialized in transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Onlookers frequently questioned Jesus’ personal credentials (Mark

6:3). They questioned the absence of ostentation. Because they longed

for the extraordinary, they overlooked that which they considered to be

ordinary and did so at what was potentially an eternal loss.

So often Jesus sought people who were considered to be ordinary

because, lacking self-sufficiency, they were prepared to trust God

completely for their success. People who are enamored by their tal-

ents, abilities, and accomplishments cannot often sense their need of

something greater than themselves. What a horrible deception! Many

among Christ’s contemporaries possessed superior academic training,

social position, or personal wealth. Nevertheless, their names have

long been forgotten. Remembered, however, are ordinary people—

farmers, fisher men, carpenters, shepherds, potters, housewives, domes-

tic servants—who were transformed into extraordinary witnesses for

Christ.

We all tend to be a little enamored by the very successful and

the very rich, don’t we? How much of that attitude do you see in

yourself ? How can you learn to keep before yourself the value of

all people, regardless of their status, fame, or wealth?

______________________________________________________

Monday

February 4

A Flawed Fisherman’s Calling

In the New Testament, Peter stands out as one of the most influential

of all the disciples. In fact, he ended up being one of the most influ-

ential people in all human history. Talk about changing the “ordinary”

into the extraordinary!

Read

the following texts. How do they help us to understand how Peter

was so radically changed, despite tremendous faults?

Luke 5:1–11. What did Peter say here that showed that he was

open to his need of Jesus? Why is this trait so crucial to cultivate

in our own lives?

________________________________________________________

Matthew 16:13–17. What do these verses tell us about Peter and

openness to the Holy Spirit?

________________________________________________________

Matthew 26:75. What do we also see here that gives us insight into

Peter and how God was able to use him?

________________________________________________________

Jesus, no doubt, spent a great deal of time with Peter, and Peter had

many powerful experiences with Him. Though only an “ordinary”

fisherman with plenty of faults, through his time with Jesus, Peter was

radically converted—even after making some grievous errors, includ-

ing denying Jesus three times, just as Jesus told him he would.

Though many points emerge from the story of Peter, the moment he

first caught a glimpse of who Jesus was, he was aware of his own faults

and admitted them. Hence, through patience and forbearance, Jesus

was able to turn Peter’s flawed character into someone who helped to

change history.

Why must we be so careful about making judgments about

those whom we might not deem as “savable”? Why is that so

easy to do?

Tuesday

February 5

Heavenly Evaluation

An evangelist once celebrated (perhaps bragged about) the atten-

dance of quality upper-class people at his seminars. (One would

hope he equally celebrated the attendance of the more “ordinary”

types, as well.)

With Christ, however, no class distinctions existed; no one was “ordi-

nary”; everyone was an exception. Not surprisingly, Jesus reached the

masses with commonplace illustrations and straightforward speech.

Nothing about His manner suggested that anyone was excluded from

His concern. Modern disciple-makers must likewise carefully guard

against giving the impression that they regard some more highly than

they do others in terms of outreach.

Read

Luke 12:6, 7; 13:1–5; Matthew 6:25–30. What do these texts teach

us about the worth of every person? Of course, it is easy for us to

say that we believe this, but in what ways might we be guilty of

harboring the kind of distinctions that the universality of the Cross

has eradicated forever?

________________________________________________________

The cheapest birds in the temple marketplace were sparrows. Pairs

could be purchased for an assarion, the smallest, least valuable cop-

per coin. Nonetheless, commonplace, insignificant sparrows were not

forgotten in heaven.

How much more is this the case with human beings, the ones for

whom Christ died? Christ died for us, not for birds. The Cross proves,

in ways that we cannot begin to fathom, the “infinite worth” (to borrow

from a phrase that Ellen G. White used a lot) of every human being,

regardless of his or her status in life—a status that is often nothing

more than a human concoction based on concepts and attributes that

are meaningless in heaven, or even contrary to the very principles of

heaven itself.

Ellen G. White wrote that “Christ would have died for one soul

in order that that one might live through the eternal ages.”

—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 73. One soul! Dwell on

the implications of this incredible concept. How should this

influence the ways in which we view not only others but our-

selves, as well?

______________________________________________________

Wednesday

A Classless Society

Perhaps the most socially attractive feature of primitive Christianity

was the absence of class distinctions. Dividing walls had crumbled

beneath the gospel’s weight. The common person triumphed through

Christ. Christ transformed the ordinary into the extraordinary. Carpenters,

tax collectors, stonecutters, queens, domestic servants, priests, Greeks,

Romans, men, women, the wealthy, and the destitute all became equals

within Christ’s kingdom of grace. In reality, the Christian community

was to be a “classless society.”

What

do each of the following texts teach about our common human-

ity? Considering the cultural background of the time, and of the

Bible writers themselves, why might it not have been so easy for

them to grasp this crucial concept?

Gal. 3:28, 29______________________________________________

________________________________________________________

James 2:1–9_______________________________________________

________________________________________________________

1 Pet. 1:17, 2:9____________________________________________

________________________________________________________

1 John 3:16–19_____________________________________________

________________________________________________________

Read Acts 2:43–47, 4:32–37. In what ways did early Christians

apply, in practice, the principle of universal acceptance? How did

the notion that God loves ordinary, everyday people enable the

explosive expansion of primitive Christianity? At the same time,

we need to ask ourselves, How well do we, individually and collec-

tively, apply these principles to the ways in which we minister to

the world? What kinds of things hold us back from doing better

in this important area?

______________________________________________________

Thursday

February 6

February 7

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, “The Lifework,” pp. 269, 270,

in Education; and “Laboring for the Middle Class,” pp. 564–566, in

Evangelism.

“In this closing work of the gospel there is a vast field to be occu-

pied; and, more than ever before, the work is to enlist helpers from the

common people. Both the youth and those older in years will be called

from the field, from the vineyard, and from the workshop, and sent

forth by the Master to give His message. Many of these have had little

opportunity for education; but Christ sees in them qualifications that

will enable them to fulfill His purpose. If they put their hearts into the

work, and continue to be learners, He will fit them to labor for Him.”

—Ellen G. White, Education, pp. 269, 270.

Discussion Questions:

 Why was Jesus so effective in making disciples among the

common people? Why was His message not as readily received

among the wealthy and socially elite? How might Jesus’ humble

upbringing have contributed to His effectiveness in reaching the

hearts and minds of ordinary people? How effective in reaching

the average person might Jesus have been if He had come as a

royal prince or a wealthy landowner?

 Read 1 Corinthians 1:26–29 in class together. What are the

key points? Read carefully where Paul wrote that God chose “the

weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are

mighty” (NKJV). What does that mean? How, in the context of

being a Christian, are we to understand this fascinating idea? In

what ways do these verses show just how twisted and perverted the

ways of the world are? How can we make sure that we ourselves

don’t get caught up in these corrupted ways?

 What can our Bible study groups do to become more user-

friendly for ordinary people? How might that affect our choice

of Bible translations? Why should disciple-makers concentrate on

practical subjects rather than theoretical ones, especially when

first reaching out to people who are hurting and in need of help?

Fri day

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.

Web site: www.AdventistMission.org

tory

inside

Just in Time

Megy groaned as another contraction tore through her body. She had

been in labor for 18 hours, and her baby hadn’t arrived yet. Four men

carried Megy on a stretcher toward the river several miles away, where

they hoped to meet a public vehicle that could take Megy to the govern-

ment clinic.

Storm clouds gathered on the horizon and threatened heavy rain. If

the men couldn’t reach the river before the rains swelled it, they couldn’t

cross. Megy’s life and the life of her unborn baby hung in the balance.

Megy and her husband live in a large village in eastern Papua New

Guinea. Most women give birth at home or in the simple birthing center

in the village. But the birth attendants aren’t equipped to handle compli-

cated births. If they can’t cross the rain-swollen river, women and their

infants often die en route to help.

The men hurried on as large drops of water began pelting them. They

reached the river and carefully picked their way across the swirling

waters. Once on the other side, the men scrambled up the rocky shore

to the place where public vehicles stopped. Soon a vehicle came, and

Megy’s husband helped her into the back.

The vehicle bumped along the rough road, drawing more groans from

Megy. Thirty minutes later, the driver stopped at the government clinic,

and Megy’s husband helped her down. Soon she was inside, where the

government nurse could help her safely deliver her child.

The next day, Megy and her husband rode another public vehicle back

to their village with their new son. Megy survived because she made it

to the government clinic in time. Other women in her village weren’t so

fortunate. Megy yearned for the day when her own village would have

a decent clinic.

Thousands of people who live in and around Megy’s village in Papua

New Guinea are rejoicing today because the Seventh-day Adventist

Church has built a government-certified clinic in their village. The vil-

lagers don’t know much about Adventists yet, but they do know that

Adventists care for them enough to meet their medical needs and teach

them how to live more healthful lives. The Adventist nurse at the clinic

has the equipment to deliver their babies and the medicines to treat their

illnesses.

A recent Thirteenth Sabbath Offering is helping to build more clinics

in Papua New Guinea. The people are eager to hear about the God that

Adventists worship because they see God’s love through the Adventists

who care for them. Thank you for helping save lives and leading people

to Jesus in Papua New Guinea and around the world.

ess than half the children in

Benin, a country in western

Africa, can read and write.

Instead of attending school,

many children spend their days

helping their parents work the

family’s garden to raise enough

food to keep them alive.

Parakou, a city in central

Benin, is largely Muslim. Most

of the people who live there

want their children to receive

an education, but there

aren’t enough schools

to meet their needs.

An Adventist school in

this area will light the

path to a better future for

thousands of children while

bringing the message of God’s

love to entire families.

I’m glad our church cares

for the people of Benin. I’m

glad our Thirteenth Sabbath

Offering will help provide them

with tools to have better lives

and hopes for the future

through Adventist education.

Hope and a Future

14-1-ABSG Ad bw.indd 1 4/23/13 5:00 PM

US$12.99

ISBN 10: 0-8163-4509-0

Publishing Association

Please contact your ABC

for pricing in Canada.

35590320

Beyond Blessings

contains the top ten ser-

mons from around the North American

Division on stewardship. is book is an

excellent resource for pastors and elders

who need sermon material, as well as an in-

spiring read for anyone who wants to hear

again the blessings of giving and acknow-

ledging God’s ownership of our

lives.

EDITED BY NIKOLAUS SATELMAJER

ess than half the children in

Benin, a country in western

Africa, can read and write.

Instead of attending school,

many children spend their days

helping their parents work the

family’s garden to raise enough

food to keep them alive.

Parakou, a city in central

Benin, is largely Muslim. Most

of the people who live there

want their children to receive

an education, but there

aren’t enough schools

to meet their needs.

An Adventist school in

this area will light the

path to a better future for

thousands of children while

bringing the message of God’s

love to entire families.

I’m glad our church cares

for the people of Benin. I’m

glad our Thirteenth Sabbath

Offering will help provide them

with tools to have better lives

and hopes for the future

through Adventist education.

Hope and a Future

14-1-ABSG Ad bw.indd 1 4/23/13 5:00 PM

US$12.99

ISBN 10: 0-8163-4509-0

Publishing Association

Please contact your ABC

for pricing in Canada.

35590320

Beyond Blessings

contains the top ten ser-

mons from around the North American

Division on stewardship. is book is an

excellent resource for pastors and elders

who need sermon material, as well as an in-

spiring read for anyone who wants to hear

again the blessings of giving and acknow-

ledging God’s ownership of our

lives.

EDITED BY NIKOLAUS SATELMAJER

Jesus and the Social

Outcasts

Sabbath afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study:

Matt. 21:28–32, John 8:1–11,

Mark 5:1–20, John 4:5–32, Matt. 9:9–13.

Memory Text:

“The woman then left her waterpot, went her way

into the city, and said to the men, ‘Come, see a Man who told me all

things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?’ ” (John 4:28–30,

NKJV).

young woman—having come from an unbelievably sad and hor-

rible background (which included two out-of-wedlock children

by the time she was fifteen years old)—sat in prison, awaiting

trial for having murdered a social worker who had come to take away

her baby, the only person from whom she ever felt any love.

Without a mother, father, husband, any relative, or even a friend, she

faced the forbidding future alone. Through the visits of a pastor, how-

ever, this hopeless young woman learned that—despite all the mistakes,

despite the desperateness of the situation, and despite whatever loomed

on the horizon—Christ loved and forgave her. No matter how society

viewed this young girl, she knew, for herself, God’s eternal love. This

social outcast discovered meaning and purpose in her Lord, whose love

and acceptance transcended all societal norms and mores, even the

“good” ones.

* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 15.

*February 8–14

Lesson

February 9

Bottom Dwellers

Societies establish hierarchies. Wealthy or well-educated people usu-

ally acquire the highest positions.

Good moral citizens, the “ordinary” people, normally occupy the

middle rungs on the social ladder. That leaves the bottom dwellers,

those such as prostitutes, substance abusers, criminals, the homeless,

and others. During Christ’s time, that list also included lepers and tax

collectors.

Read

Matthew 21:28–32 and Luke 15:1–10. What do these passages

teach regarding Christ’s attitude toward social outcasts?

________________________________________________________

What happened that propelled the social outcasts ahead of the self-

righteous? What did the bottom dwellers discover that the social elite

often missed? Why was Jesus apparently more effective in reaching the

bottom strata than He was with the upper echelons?

Although hardened by sinful pleasures, and sometimes encased in

self-constructed tough exteriors, the social outcasts were, and still

are, easier to reach than the prideful, haughty, and self-righteous elite.

Often, beneath the outcasts’ bravado lies emotional emptiness charac-

terized by poor self-worth. Frequently, especially during the teenage

years, such people openly rebel, frantically trying to establish a per-

sonal identity to compensate for the insecurities felt within. That iden-

tity is, purposefully, established in opposition to the wishes of whoever

serves as the authority figure (often parents) for that person.

Jesus wasted no effort damaging the outcasts’ already diminished

sense of self-worth. Instead, He created a renewed sense of personal

value. He established that foundation by consistently loving and accept-

ing the outcasts, whose hearts were often melted by the warm and lov-

ing receptions that they had received from Christ.

What is your own attitude toward those whom your society

deems to be social outcasts? Be honest: in a lot of cases, don’t you

feel a certain sense of superiority? If so, dwell on the implications

of those feelings.

______________________________________________________

sunday

February 10

“In the Very Act”

Read

John 8:1–11. What does this text teach us about Jesus and social

outcasts?

________________________________________________________

Having refreshed Himself spiritually at His Mount of Olives retreat,

Jesus returned to the temple. Crowds gathered. While Christ taught, the

Pharisees dragged an adulterous woman before Him. They questioned

Jesus regarding Moses’ legislation concerning adultery, which pre-

scribed execution. Jesus recognized that this questioning was insincere.

The purpose was entrapment, not truth-seeking. Capital (death penalty)

jurisdiction had been withdrawn from Jewish courts. Jewish leader-

ship reasoned that Christ’s patriotic Jewish following might be com-

promised should He publicly reject stoning the woman. Conversely,

should He endorse execution, their accusation would be that Christ had

violated Roman authority.

Caught amid the leaders’ political intrigue was this helpless and

guilty woman. Unfamiliar with Jesus’ ministry, she could not have

known His merciful nature. Ironically, He appears to pronounce her

death sentence; however, He prefaced His statement with those unfor-

gettable words, “He that is without sin ...”

Those words leveled the playing field. Sinless people might be

authorized to mercilessly execute punishment. Yet, sinful people were,

in a sense, obligated to be merciful. But, with the exception of Jesus,

there were no sinless people present. Gradually the religious leaders

dispersed, and this social outcast, guilty as she may have been, received

grace.

“In His act of pardoning this woman and encouraging her to live a

better life, the character of Jesus shines forth in the beauty of perfect

righteousness. While He does not palliate sin, nor lessen the sense of

guilt, He seeks not to condemn, but to save. The world had for this err-

ing woman only contempt and scorn; but Jesus speaks words of com-

fort and hope.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 462.

Though Ellen G. White does give more details about the intrigue

regarding this woman, the woman, nevertheless, was an adulter-

ess, caught “in the very act.” The scheming of the leaders didn’t

change that fact. And yet, she was still forgiven. How do we learn

to show grace, even to the guilty, while still not “palliating” sin?

______________________________________________________

Monday

February 11

The Lowest of the Low

Read

Mark 5:1–20. Compare this man’s situation with the plight of

modern homeless people. Compare his description with that of

mentally ill patients. What similarities and differences exist? How

does modern society treat people who suffer from mental illness?

What explains Christ’s admonition to publicize the event, though

He consistently counsels others to maintain secrecy?

________________________________________________________

From the perspective of many of us today, it’s hard to imagine someone

in such a horrific state, living in a cemetery even. Though some argue

that this man was merely insane, the text teaches otherwise. (Besides,

how does that idea fit with what happened to the pigs?)

A crucial point for us in this story is that no one, no matter how

deranged—whether from demon possession, mental illness, drug use,

whatever—is to be ignored. In some cases, professional help is needed

and should be given when possible.

As Christians, we must remember that Christ died for everyone, and

even those whom we might deem to be beyond our help still deserve as

much mercy and respect and kindness as possible. Besides, who are we

to judge anyone to be a hopeless case, to be beyond the power of God?

From our perspective, things can look bad, but from God’s perspective

every human being is of infinite worth. Were it not for the Cross, all our

cases would be hopeless, a point worth remembering as we confront

very disturbed and damaged people.

Dwell on some of the people you know who are truly in bad shape,

whether mentally, spiritually, or physically, and for whatever rea-

son. Try to view them in the way that you think our uncondition-

ally loving God views them. Besides praying for them, what can

you do, in any way, to minister to their needs and show them

something of the love of God?

______________________________________________________

Tuesday

February 12

The Woman at the Well

Study

John 4:5–32, and then answer the following questions:

1. What social conventions did Jesus break, and why? What

should this tell us about social conventions and the way in which

they should be regarded when they interfere with witnessing? What

social conventions might be hindering your witness to others?

________________________________________________________

2. In what way did Jesus confront the woman about her sinful

life? What lessons could we take from His approach?

________________________________________________________

3. What does this story reveal about the prejudices of Jesus’ dis-

ciples? Again we have to ask ourselves, in what ways are we guilty

of the same thing?

________________________________________________________

4. Though obviously impressed by the fact that Jesus knew she

had been sexually promiscuous, what did the woman say in her

witness that showed she still had some questions about who Jesus

was? What lessons can we draw from this about our own need for

patience when it comes to the making of disciples?

________________________________________________________

Wednesday

Publicans and Sinners

It’s hard to imagine what our world would have been like had not sin

intruded. The beauty of nature, even after millennia, still testifies to the

majesty and power and goodness of God. Our sin-darkened minds can

barely grasp what humanity and human relations would have been like

had our world not fallen. One thing we can be sure of is that the class

distinctions, prejudices, and cultural and ethnic boundaries that impact

every society and culture would not exist.

Sad to say, too, it’s hardly feasible that before Christ returns these

boundaries are going to vanish. On the contrary, as our world gets

worse, there is no doubt that these barriers will, as well. As Christians,

however, we must do what we can in every way possible to seek to tran-

scend these barriers that have caused so much heartache and suffering

and pain in our world, especially to those whom society rejects as the

greatest outcasts.

Read

Matthew 9:9–13. In what way is the essence of true Christianity

revealed here, not just in what Jesus said but in that which He did?

Focus especially on His words, taken from the Old Testament: “‘I

desire mercy and not sacrifice’ ” (Hosea 6:6, NKJV). Especially

given the context, why must we be so careful that we do not become

guilty of possessing the attitude that Jesus is so powerfully con-

demning here—especially when we are all to some degree creatures

of our particular societies, and thus influenced by the prejudices

and social barriers that are inherent in every society?

________________________________________________________

“The Pharisees beheld Christ sitting and eating with publicans and

sinners. He was calm and self-possessed, kind, courteous, and friendly;

and while they could not but admire the picture presented, it was so

unlike their own course of action, they could not endure the sight. The

haughty Pharisees exalted themselves, and disparaged those who had

not been blessed with such privileges and light as they themselves

had had. They hated and despised the publicans and sinners. Yet in the

sight of God their guilt was the greater. Heaven’s light was flashing

across their pathway, saying, ‘This is the way, walk ye in it’; but they

had spurned the gift.”—Ellen G. White, The SDA Bible Commentary,

vol. 5, p. 1088.

Thursday

February 13

February 14

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, “At Jacob’s Well,” pp. 183–195;

“Peace, Be Still,” pp. 333–341; “Among Snares,” pp. 460–462, in The

Desire of Ages; and “Helping the Tempted,” pp. 164–169; “Working

for the Intemperate,” pp. 171–182; “Help for the Unemployed and the

Homeless,” pp. 183–200, in The Ministry of Healing.

“The one class that He would never countenance was those who

stood apart in their self-esteem and looked down upon others....

“The fallen must be led to feel that it is not too late for them to be

men. Christ honored man with His confidence and thus placed him on

his honor. Even those who had fallen the lowest He treated with respect.

It was a continual pain to Christ to be brought into contact with enmity,

depravity, and impurity; but never did He utter one expression to show

that His sensibilities were shocked or His refined tastes offended.

Whatever the evil habits, the strong prejudices, or the overbearing

passions of human beings, He met them all with pitying tenderness.

As we partake of His Spirit, we shall regard all men as brethren, with

similar temptations and trials, often falling and struggling to rise again,

battling with discouragements and difficulties, craving sympathy and

help. Then we shall meet them in such a way as not to discourage or

repel them, but to awaken hope in their hearts.”—Ellen G. White, The

Ministry of Healing, pp. 164, 165.

Discussion Questions:

 What personal attitudes might need to be changed in order

for you to become an effective witness to social outcasts? What

congregational practices should be altered to make your church

more effective? How should modern Christians establish reason-

able expectations when working for those who are deemed to be

the hardest and most difficult cases?

 How did Jesus avoid both excusing sins and condemning sin-

ners? In what ways did Christ utilize trust, encouragement, and

confidence in reversing the downward spiral of social outcasts?

Since social outcasts were generally suspicious of religious leaders,

how did Christ make these potential disciples comfortable with

Himself?

 What barriers stand between social outcasts and your church?

How can those barriers be overturned?

Fri day

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.

Web site: www.AdventistMission.org

tory

inside

The Godfather’s Son

Mitia [MEE-tyah] was the son of a crime syndicate godfather. His

father was rich and powerful, and Mitia admired him. Mitia quit school

and started his own criminal business with his father’s guidance. Soon

Mitia was enjoying the riches of crime, just as his father did.

Then two of Mitia’s employees were arrested. They named Mitia,

and police went to arrest him. But someone warned Mitia, and he fled

before the police arrived. He hid in a neighboring country to wait until

it was safe to return home.

While in hiding, someone gave Mitia some Christian literature. It

spoke of a life based on love, forgiveness, and obedience. Mitia won-

dered if such a life could be possible.

The literature referred to the Bible, and Mitia searched for one. He

found one in a pile of old books in a market. Once he began reading,

he couldn’t put the Bible down. Who was this Jesus, whose life had

changed so many people—people like him? As he read, his former life

no longer appealed to him. He yearned for the peace, the hope, and the

love he saw in Jesus.

Mitia wanted to tell his family what he had discovered. But as soon as

he arrived home, he was arrested. His two former employees had been

sentenced to death, and Mitia knew that he faced the same fate.

In prison, Mitia found comfort in reading his Bible and sharing God’s

message of forgiveness with the other prisoners. To his surprise, he was

released from prison.

Mitia remembered a Christian neighbor and went to ask her questions

about God that puzzled him. She recognized Mitia and had reason to

fear him, but she invited him into her home. Soon they were reading

Bible verses that answered Mitia’s questions. She invited him to join a

small group of Christians who worshiped in a house on Sabbath. Mitia

went and was amazed to realize that the Seventh-day Adventists taught

everything he had read in the Bible.

When Mitia’s former friends invited him to party or take drugs, Mitia

responded, “I’m done with those things. I have a new life now centered

in God.” Indeed, God’s love so transformed Mitia’s life that many who

knew him listened as he told them that Jesus wants to be their Lord, as

well.

Today, Mitia spends his time leading others to Jesus. One piece of

literature changed his life. Our mission offerings help provide literature

that can lead thousands like Mitia to God. Thank you for helping to tell

the world that God loves them.

M I lives in Kazakhstan.

With the Rich and Famous

Sabbath afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study:

Deut. 8:17, 18; Gen. 13:5, 6;

John 3:1–15; Luke 19:1–10; Mark 4:18, 19; Matt. 19:16–26.

Memory Text:

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,

for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and

pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10,

NKJV).

eople,” it has been said, “spend money they don’t have, for things

they don’t need, in order to impress people they don’t like.” How

much truth that statement contains is debatable; what isn’t debat-

able, however, is that money can have a powerful influence over all of

us. Because personal financial habits comprehensively represent an

individual’s values, money is actually a spiritual matter. No doubt that’s

why the Bible spends a lot of time talking about it.

Also, fame frequently accompanies wealth. Motion picture stars, out-

standing athletes, and national politicians often possess both. Famous

people exercise influence, which is one form of power. Jesus, however,

was not impressed by anyone’s wealth or power. He simply sought to

reach these wealthy people for the same reason that He tried to reach

everyone else: He wanted them to have the kind of riches that money

cannot buy.

* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 22.

*February 15–21

Lesson

February 16

Richly Blessed

As fallen human beings, we are subject to jealousy, especially toward

those who have more money than we do (regardless of how much money

we ourselves might have already). The Bible, however, does not uncon-

ditionally disparage wealth or the wealthy. As with so much else in life,

problems arise not from things themselves but from the way in which

we relate to them.

What

counsel regarding wealth does Scripture offer? Deut. 8:17, 18;

Gen. 13:5, 6; 41:41–43; Job 1:1–3; Dan. 4:28–31. Why was it so

important for Israel not to forget where its blessings came from?

________________________________________________________

There is no question that people such as Abraham, Joseph, Mordecai,

Esther, Hezekiah, Josiah, and Jehoshaphat were wealthy and spiritu-

ally minded, as well. Nebuchadnezzar’s example, however, shows the

danger that comes from making wealth an idol, which is so easy for

anyone to do. Conversely, for ancient Israel, acknowledging God’s

generosity in this supplying of wealth brought spiritual and material

blessings. They were specifically warned not to forget from where

those blessings came. (A good lesson for all of us, is it not?)

In short, riches themselves do not indicate spiritual poverty or indif-

ference. There have been some very pious and faithful rich people and

some pretty nasty and evil ones, as well. Either way, we should not turn

a desire for money into an obsession, nor should we despise those who

are wealthy. They need salvation as much as everyone else does.

What are your own attitudes toward the rich? It’s easy to be

jealous, is it not? How can you learn to move beyond those feel-

ings and to see wealthy individuals as we all are, as souls in need

of a saving knowledge of Jesus?

______________________________________________________

sunday

February 17

Nighttime Rendezvous

Wealthy, well-positioned famous people did not intimidate Jesus.

Christ neither resented nor revered the social elite. The Savior rec-

ognized that financial prosperity could not supply peace, personal

contentment, meaningful relationships, or deep-seated purpose. The

wealthiest magnate could easily be lonelier, emptier, and angrier than

the simplest, poorest, and most humble Christian believer.

Analyze

Jesus’ interaction with Nicodemus (John 3:1–15). Which

events probably stimulated Nicodemus’s interest in Jesus’ message?

(Hint: review John 2:13–25.) What significance does the darkness

play? What is Christ’s central message for Nicodemus?

________________________________________________________

Nicodemus had witnessed God’s power and authority as revealed

through Jesus’ ministry and thus sought to meet with Him, but in secret.

Jesus might have refused this secretive overture, but, unwilling that any

should perish, He readily accepted this opportunity to bring Nicodemus

another step closer to the kingdom. Nicodemus’s poverty was spiritual

not material. Enriched with worldly goods and an elevated social posi-

tion, he was, nonetheless, spiritually starving.

Instinctively, Nicodemus rebelled against any suggestion that knowl-

edgeable Israelites like himself should require conversion. Jesus, how-

ever, persisted, presenting Nicodemus with the eternal choice between

judgment and salvation. Fearing denunciation and ridicule, Nicodemus

refused to accept Christ’s invitation. The interview had apparently

failed. That spiritual seed, however, lay buried, slowly germinating

beneath his heart’s soil.

“After the Lord’s ascension, when the disciples were scattered by

persecution, Nicodemus came boldly to the front. He employed his

wealth in sustaining the infant church that the Jews had expected to

be blotted out at the death of Christ. In the time of peril he who had

been so cautious and questioning was firm as a rock, encouraging

the faith of the disciples, and furnishing means to carry forward

the work of the gospel. He was scorned and persecuted by those

who had paid him reverence in other days. He became poor in this

world’s goods; yet he faltered not in the faith which had its beginning in

that night conference with Jesus.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages,

p. 177.

Monday

Rich and Infamous

Respectability does not always accompany wealth. Though many do

earn their wealth honestly through hard work, industriousness, and the

blessings of God, others are outright crooks. Even worse, some make

their money legally but immorally, for not everything immoral is ille-

gal, as we all know so well.

Compare

Matthew 9:10–13 with Luke 5:27–32, 19:1–10. What moti-

vated the criticism that Jesus faced? What does His reaction to the

criticism teach us about grace?

________________________________________________________

Jericho, Zacchaeus’s residence, had become a significant commer-

cial center and housed the Herodian palace. Because of its geographi-

cal location, it maintained a customs gathering station. Zacchaeus

could have easily enriched himself legally as the chief regional

customs officer. The narrative, however, suggests that greed induced

him to overstep legal boundaries. Zealous patriots despised even hon-

est customs collectors, seeing them as tools of their Roman oppres-

sors, but they greatly disdained dishonest ones such as Zacchaeus.

Matthew (Levi) occupied a similar position in Capernaum, under

Herod Antipas. Essentially having assumed the role of Roman gov-

ernmental agents, they were viewed as traitors, or worse yet, thieving

traitors.

Nonetheless, Christ was not deterred. Defying social constraints,

Jesus dined with them, drawing intense criticism from priests and com-

moners alike. And, by Jesus’ interaction with them, these despised men

were eventually won to the gospel. (For example, Matthew not only

became one of the Twelve but also an author in the New Testament!)

Again, we should be careful about the kind of spiritual judgments

we make about people. Though not all sins are of the same magnitude,

and some are certainly socially worse (and with good reason) than

others, all of us are equal before God in that we are all in need of the

righteousness of Christ.

Think of some well-known but despised (and perhaps under-

standably so) personage in your culture. Imagine what it would

be like if you had a chance to witness to that person. Would you

even want to? What would you say?

Tuesday

February 18

February 19

Gold-plated Message

Analyze

the following passages: Mark 4:18, 19; Luke 1:51–53;

6:22–25; 12:16–21; 16:13. What practical advice do these verses

contain? What spiritual warnings are found here? How might

these Scriptures be utilized by believers to make disciples among

the wealthy?

________________________________________________________

It has been said that we don’t own our things; our things own us. How

easy it is to be consumed by material possessions; hence, Jesus warned

above about “the deceitfulness of riches.”

Think through just how easy it is for money, or the pursuit of it,

to blind our spiritual priorities. How crucial that we keep this truth

in mind as we seek to reach those whose wealth might have already

blinded them.

At the same time, we all need a reality check. Some people live as

if the one question that they will be asked on Judgment Day is, How

much money did you make?

Christ reverses our misplaced priorities. While possessions are

not forbidden, they must be placed in perspective. Material goods

are God’s instruments designed to benefit humanity. They become

blessings when shared rather than when hoarded. When hoarded, they

become curses.

Materialistic persons, whether rich or poor, are in danger of sacrific-

ing their eternal well-being for temporal pleasures. Eternal satisfaction

is exchanged for passing fancies that deteriorate and become outdated.

Humans serve God or money, never both. Everyone, rich or poor, needs

to be reminded: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the

whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

This warning about materialism is important for all believers,

not only for their own souls’ sakes but for outreach as well. After

all, how can we warn the wealthy about the potential spiritual

dangers contained by their wealth when we ourselves are caught

up in the same thing?

______________________________________________________

Wednesday

Terms of Endangerment

Study

Matthew 19:16–26. What spiritual dangers are revealed in this

passage? How might believers benefit today’s “rich young rulers”?

________________________________________________________

He possessed credentials, qualifications, abundant material resources,

unquestioned morality, and unlimited self-esteem! The youthful

disciple- candidate earnestly requested the Master’s formula for sal-

vation. Should Christ have been flattered? “Finally we’re converting

the upper classes!” Apparently no such exhilaration polluted Christ’s

thinking. Had this petitioner expected commendation, he was sorely

disappointed. Instead, Christ established the Ten Commandments as

the minimum standard of obedience. Perhaps the young ruler had

congratu lated himself. By his self-measurement, he surpassed the

first hurdle. Christ, however, had elsewhere demanded righteousness

that exceeded that which other religious leaders possessed. Would

that standard be lowered to accommodate this candidate? Judas would

have been ecstatic. Whoever handled public relations would have been

overjoyed. Think what having wealthy supporters aboard could mean

image-wise.

Spiritual deficiencies, however, cannot be overlooked nor minimized,

for the mission of Jesus is sacred. Compromise cannot be tolerated.

Every selfish indulgence must be surrendered. Christ outlined the

three-step process: sell your possessions, furnish the poverty-stricken,

follow Me. This was spiritually dangerous territory. Although young,

the would-be disciple had accumulated a sizable fortune. Luxurious

houses, beautiful vineyards, productive fields, fashionable clothing,

jewelry collections, servants, livestock, perhaps speedy customized

chariots—all these might have flashed through his mind. God’s terms

were inflexible. Neither bargaining nor negotiating could reduce the

price: everything for Jesus; worldly greatness exchanged for heavenly

treasure.

“How many have come to Christ, ready to cast their interests in with

his, and, like the rich young ruler, earnestly desiring to inherit eternal

life! But when the cost is presented to them—when they are told that

they must forsake all, houses and lands, wife and children, and count

not their lives dear unto themselves—they go away sorrowful. They

want the treasures of heaven, and the life that measures with the life

of God, but they are not willing to give up their earthly treasures. They

are not willing to surrender all to obtain the crown of life.”—Ellen G.

White, The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, April 19, 1898.

Thursday

February 20

February 21

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, “Nicodemus,” pp. 167–177;

“Levi-Matthew,” pp. 272–280; “‘One Thing Thou Lackest,’” pp. 518–

523; “Zacchaeus,” pp. 552–556, in The Desire of Ages; “Ministry to the

Rich,” pp. 209–216, in The Ministry of Healing.

“Much is said concerning our duty to the neglected poor; should not

some attention be given to the neglected rich? Many look upon this

class as hopeless, and they do little to open the eyes of those, who,

blinded and dazed by the glitter of earthly glory, have lost eternity out

of their reckoning. Thousands of wealthy men have gone to their graves

unwarned. But indifferent as they may appear, many among the rich are

soul-burdened. ‘He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver;

nor he that loveth abundance with increase.’ He that says to fine gold,

‘Thou art my confidence,’ has ‘denied the God that is above.’ ‘None of

them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom

for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth

forever).’ ...

“Riches and worldly honor cannot satisfy the soul. Many among the

rich are longing for some divine assurance, some spiritual hope. Many

long for something that will bring to an end the monotony of their aim-

less lives. Many in official life feel their need of something which they

have not. Few among them go to church; for they feel that they receive

little benefit. The teaching they hear does not touch the heart. Shall we

make no personal appeal to them?”—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of

Healing, p. 210.

Discussion Questions:

 Wealthy converts played important roles in financially sustain-

ing the infant Christian movement. Though exceptions existed,

sacrificial giving characterized the well-to-do believers. God’s

kingdom consists of honest-hearted people from every social

class. Christians should be neither intimidated nor enamored

by wealthy people but should fearlessly proclaim God’s revela-

tion that they may be saved. Understanding that we should never

compromise theology and principle, what practical changes can

your church make so that wealthy people will find it easier to

find fellowship there? How is your church’s evangelistic strategy

addressing the need to make disciples among the well-to-do? What

specific things can your church realistically do to reach the rich?

 Look at the Bible verses that Ellen G. White used in the state-

ment in Friday’s study. What is the essence of what they are say-

ing? How can we help those who think that their happiness will be

found in wealth and material possessions to realize that they are

on the wrong track?

Fri day

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.

Web site: www.AdventistMission.org

tory

inside

A Flame for Jesus

Daniel Santay is a shining star for Jesus in Cambodia. He says, “Ever

since I can remember, I’ve loved Jesus.”

Daniel’s father was the example that inspired the boy to share God’s

love with others. “When I was seven years old,” Daniel says, “I told

my dad I wanted to be like him and preach someday. He told me, ‘You

don’t have to wait. Start now; share Jesus with your friends now.’”

Daniel accepted his father’s challenge and began sharing God’s

love with his friends. “I felt God’s power through the Holy Spirit

working in me,” Daniel said. “He is working in my heart and helping

me share my love for Jesus with other children.” Daniel began trav-

eling with his father and teaching the children while his dad taught

the adults.

Then his father became ill. Before long, he was too sick to travel

or preach. He became too weak to work at his government job. One

day he gathered his family around him and told them he wasn’t going

to get well. He challenged them to stay close to God and to continue

sharing God’s love with everyone they met. He promised his family

that one day they would be together again when Jesus comes. They

would never have to say goodbye.

Daniel’s father died when Daniel was just eight. “Some days I miss

him so much,” Daniel says. “But I have hope that I will see him soon

in heaven. Then I will tell him that I kept my promise to preach to

others.”

Daniel and his three siblings and their mother continue sharing

their faith in Cambodia. His mother works hard to provide for the

children and keep them in a Seventh-day Adventist school.

Daniel helps his mother around the house and enjoys reading. He

knows that God is calling him to be a pastor, just like his father. “I

want to keep telling others about Jesus,” he says, “to help them know

Christ.”

Daniel remembers asking his father when Jesus will come again.

His father told him, “Jesus will come when everyone has had a

chance to hear God’s message of love through Jesus.” Daniel contin-

ues telling others that God loves them and that Jesus died for them.

He can’t wait until Jesus can come so he can see his father again, and

together they can meet their heavenly Father for the first time.

Our mission offerings help support the Adventist school that

Daniel and his siblings attend; this is one way we can help share

God’s love in Cambodia and around the world.

D C S is helping people prepare for Jesus’ coming in his homeland,

Cambodia.

Discipling the Powerful

Sabbath afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study:

Rom. 13:1–7, Mark 2:23–28,

Matt. 8:5–13, 26:57–68, 27:11–14, Acts 4:1–12.

Memory Text:

“The word of God continued to spread; the num-

ber of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many

of the priests became obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7, NRSV).

he disciples were not endowed with the courage and fortitude

of the martyrs until such grace was needed. Then the Saviour’s

promise was fulfilled. When Peter and John testified before the

Sanhedrin council, men ‘marveled; and they took knowledge of them,

that they had been with Jesus.’ Acts 4:13. Of Stephen it is written that

‘all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as

it had been the face of an angel’ [Acts 6:15]. Men ‘were not able to

resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.’ [Acts 6:10]. And

Paul, writing of his own trial at the court of the Caesars, says, ‘At my

first defense no one took my part, but all forsook me.... But the Lord

stood by me, and strengthened me; that through me the message might

be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was

delivered out of the mouth of the lion.’ 2Tim. 4:16, 17, R. V.”—Ellen

G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp. 354, 355.

* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 1.

*February 22–28

Lesson

February 23

Respecting Authority

Over the long centuries, people have struggled to understand the

role and function of government and how citizens should relate to it.

What gives rulers the right to rule? What is the best form of govern-

ment? Should people always obey their governments? If not, why not?

These are just a few of a host of questions that we still wrestle with

to this day.

Read

Romans 13:1–7. What important message is in there for us?

How, though, can these texts and the message they teach be abused?

What examples do we have in history of that happening? How can

we as a church learn from these mistakes, even in our own history,

as well as from the mistakes of the Christian church in general?

________________________________________________________

Oppression and brutality characterized the Roman Empire during

Christ’s time. Roman legions terrorized and subjugated civilized nations,

forcibly bringing them into the empire. Hundreds of thousands were

dispossessed, imprisoned, and murdered. Puppet governments permit-

ted by Rome were probably worse than Rome itself. Yet, interestingly

enough, Jesus never advocated any kind of rebellion against this gov-

ernment, or even the withholding of taxes from it (see Luke 20:25).

Jesus’ singular act of civil disobedience—overturning the money-

changers’ tables—demonstrated the revulsion He felt regarding priestly

abuses. It was not against the Romans, per se.

“The people of God will recognize human government as an ordi-

nance of divine appointment and will teach obedience to it as a sacred

duty within its legitimate sphere. But when its claims conflict with the

claims of God, the word of God must be recognized as above all human

legislation. ‘Thus saith the Lord’ is not to be set aside for Thus saith

the church or the state. The crown of Christ is to be uplifted above the

diadems of earthly potentates.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the

Church, vol. 6, p. 402.

sunday

February 24

“Have You Not Read . . . ?”

Unfortunately, some of the most powerful and influential people with

whom Jesus dealt were the religious leaders of His time, many of whom

were openly hostile to Him.

Yet, even in His encounters with them, Jesus always sought to be

redemptive. He wasn’t seeking arguments; He was seeking the salva-

tion of all people, even of those powerful and influential people who

would eventually condemn Him to death.

Read

Mark 2:23–28, 3:1–6, Matthew 12:1–16. How can we see, in these

encounters, that Jesus—despite the overt hostility against Him—

was trying to reach these men? What did He say and do that should

have touched their hearts, were they not so closed?

________________________________________________________

It’s interesting that, in dealing with these people, Jesus referred to the

Scriptures and even sacred history, sources that should have touched

the religious leaders. Jesus was appealing to what should have been

common ground between them. For instance, He quoted the Bible when

He talked about the importance of mercy over ritual. By so doing, He

sought to bring the leaders to a deeper meaning of the law that they

claimed to cherish and uphold so fervently and devoutly.

In His discourse about pulling an animal out of a pit on the Sabbath

day, Jesus then appealed to their most basic notions of decency and

kindness, something that these men all should have related to. The

problem, however, was that their bitterness and hatred toward Jesus

clouded even that.

Finally, the miracles themselves should have spoken loudly to these

influential leaders about the extraordinary Man among them.

It’s easy, from our position today, to look back in wonder at the

blindness and hardness of these men. How, though, can we make

sure that we ourselves, when seeking to protect something that

we don’t want to give up, don’t close ourselves to more light from

God? Why is that easier to do than we might think?

______________________________________________________

Monday

The Centurion

While several of Christ’s encounters with powerful people ended

acrimoniously, there were notable exceptions, such as with Nicodemus.

Another constructive meeting involved a Roman centurion (ranking

military officer).

Read

Matthew 8:5–13 and Luke 7:1–10. What can we learn from these

accounts about witnessing to people in power?

________________________________________________________

When the centurion learned that Jesus was approaching, he dispatched

several friends to dissuade Christ from coming. Deeply respecting Jewish

worship and Jesus’ spirituality, he felt undeserving of Christ’s personal

attention. Finally, just before Jesus arrived, he ventured to approach

Him. He explained the situation, expressing faith that Christ’s declara-

tion alone could restore the servant. Drawing on military experience, he

understood authority. He obeyed his commanding officer, and his subor-

dinates obeyed him. How amazing that this man of power and influence

(and a Roman, as well!) could show such deep faith when many who had

so many more spiritual advantages spurned Jesus.

Honest self-examination is profitable here. We need to ask ourselves

whether we have become complacent and are merely espousing correct

doctrines instead of experiencing living faith. Have newer, lesser-equipped

believers nevertheless expressed deeper faith than those raised within

Christianity? Have our spiritual advantages become occasions for self-

dependency? Have spiritual opportunities escaped unnoticed? Whenever

we answer affirmatively, Christ is the answer. Anyone can enjoy the centu-

rion’s experience. This story should encourage those evangelizing among

people in powerful positions. How many twenty-first century centurions

are there? May their faith inspire and strengthen ours.

There is a power to a selflessness and self-abnegating ministry

that can touch anyone of any rank or class. What of these traits

do we manifest in our own lives and witness?

______________________________________________________

Tuesday

February 25

February 26

Judgment Day

Read

Matthew 26:57–68, 27:11–14, Luke 23:1–12, John 18:19–23,

31–40, 19:8–12. What can we learn from Jesus’ witness to these pow-

erful men?

________________________________________________________

Within these final scenes of Jesus’ earthly sojourn, Christ’s follow-

ers glimpse the painful price of unflinching faithfulness. From arrest

until crucifixion, Christ bears witness before the most powerful in

the land: monarchs, governors, priests. Person by person He studies

those intoxicated with worldly authority. Apparently, they control Him.

Soldiers shuffle Jesus between their courtrooms, their councils, their

palaces, and their judgment halls, unaware that ultimately this is His

world. Whatever judgment they pronounce against Christ is ultimately

the judgment they pronounce against themselves.

While Christ witnessed to make disciples, sometimes the outcome

was vastly different from what He Himself would have wished. How

Jesus would have rejoiced had Pilate, Caiaphas, Herod, and others

surrendered their hearts and repented. Stubbornly, they refused His

entreaties, callously bypassing their final invitation to salvation.

Likewise, Christ’s twenty-first-century followers should recognize

that while they witness to make disciples, the outcome often appears

vastly different from what they would wish and pray for. Measurable

success may not always attend their efforts. This should neither dis-

courage them nor inhibit further witnessing. The genuine disciple

is, like Christ Himself, faithful until death, not faithful until disap-

pointed. Calling listeners to a decision separates wheat from chaff.

The wheat is celebrated. The chaff is mourned. The harvest continues.

Notwithstanding Christ’s apparently unsuccessful witness before these

powerful men, something marvelous happened, for, according to Acts

6:7, not only did the number of disciples multiply, but “a great many of

the priests were obedient to the faith” (NKJV). God alone knows how

many of those priests were there, listening and watching Jesus in those

final hours.

Wednesday

The Early Explosion

Christ’s earliest disciples energetically advanced the gospel through-

out the civilized world. Houses, synagogues, public stadiums, judgment

halls, and royal palaces became stages for kingdom proclamation.

Jesus, however, prophesied arrests, trials, and hostile royal audiences

for those disciples (Matt. 10:16–20). Unfortunately, those saturated

with earthly power were slowest to receive Christ.

Read through as much of Acts 4:1–12; 13:5–12, 50; 23:1–6; 25:23–

26:28 as you can. Though one can get the idea that so many people

were instantly converted out of nowhere, that’s not what happened.

These dramatic results were the visible product of underlying circum-

stances. Seedtime precedes harvest. Christ had faithfully proclaimed

the gospel. Missionaries had witnessed throughout Judea. Early con-

verts no doubt helped to carry the message. When Christ personally

conquered death, confirming His message, thousands of fence-sitters

leaped into the kingdom. They had secretly followed Him. Their hearts

had responded to His invitations. Cultural factors, job security, and

family pressures had slowed their overt responses. Christ’s resurrection

destroyed the fence, forcing a decision.

Then, of course, the apostle Paul entered the picture. His witness,

however, was not universally appreciated. Sometimes prominent men

and women persecuted and expelled him. He was stoned, flogged,

imprisoned, and otherwise mistreated—often at the instigation of pow-

erful people. Political motives were frequently the foundation for their

anti-Christian sentiments.

Governor Felix imprisoned Paul in order to placate religious opposi-

tion to Paul. His successor, Festus, was more fair-minded but lacked

the political willpower to release Paul. During an official visit, King

Agrippa and his sister, Bernice (descendants of Herod’s dynasty),

requested an audience with Paul. Unfortunately, like their ancestors

before them, they rejected his invitation to salvation. Although facing

similar rejection and persecution, Christ’s twenty-first-century dis-

ciples must likewise persevere.

How can disciple-makers working among worldly and religious

authorities avoid the discouragement of frequent rejection?

Whenever Christ’s followers labor for powerful people, who else

might be affected by their witnessing?

______________________________________________________

Thursday

February 27

February 28

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, “The Centurion,” pp. 315–318;

“Before Annas and the Court of Caiaphas,” pp. 698–715; “In Pilate’s

Judgment Hall,” pp. 723–740, in The Desire of Ages; “Ministry to

the Rich,” pp. 209–216, in The Ministry of Healing; “Almost Thou

Persuadest Me,” pp. 433–438, in The Acts of the Apostles.

“It is by no casual, accidental touch that wealthy, world-loving,

world-worshiping souls can be drawn to Christ. These persons are often

the most difficult of access. Personal effort must be put forth for them

by men and women imbued with the missionary spirit, those who will

not fail or be discouraged.

“Some are especially fitted to work for the higher classes.”—Ellen G.

White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 213.

Discussion Questions:

 Whenever Jesus witnessed to powerful people, others noticed.

Some were in powerful positions, others not. Like Nicodemus

and Joseph of Arimathea, many among the educated priestly

class came to faith gradually. Some bystanders who witnessed

Christ’s confrontations with religious leaders likewise believed.

Volcanic turbulence usually lies hidden beneath the mountain’s

crust. Visually gauging intensity is impossible. Accurately mea-

suring activity requires special instruments. Similarly, the explo-

sive potential of Jesus’ movement remained hidden during His

earthly ministry. Following His resurrection, however, the king-

dom erupted, evidenced by massive conversions, even among those

in influential positions. The faithful planting was finally yielding

its abundant harvest. What should these facts tell us about how

important it is that we not get discouraged when our witness

doesn’t appear as effective as we would like it to be, especially

among the powerful elite?

 Ellen G. White wrote in the statement above that some were

especially fitted for the work of reaching the powerful. What

might some of those qualifications be? At the same time, why must

we be careful to not limit those who we might think are not quali-

fied?

Fri day

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.

Web site: www.AdventistMission.org

tory

inside

God’s Surprising Answer

I wanted to attend a university after high school, but I didn’t score

high enough on some of my exams to qualify for the public university.

So I decided to work parttime while I studied to retake the exams.

My employers were Seventh-day Adventist Christians. They sug-

gested that I apply to study at Valley View University, the Adventist

university in Ghana. My father said that he’d heard good things about

the school, so I applied and was accepted.

My roommates were fine Christian women. I saw the difference their

faith made in their lives, and I wanted to know what Adventists believe.

I asked lots of questions about the Bible, which they answered most

willingly.

During the school’s Week of Spiritual Emphasis, I became convinced

that Adventists are not a cult; they are Bible-following Christians. I

asked to join the Adventist Church.

My parents were disappointed to learn that I wanted to join the

Adventist Church and threatened to transfer me to the public university.

But I asked the pastor and my friends to pray that God would help me

to stay at Valley View. My father eventually agreed.

However, the devil had other ways to cause trouble. My father lost

his job and couldn’t support me in school. Some members of my family

accused me of joining a cult and using witchcraft to make my father

lose his job. I couldn’t do anything but pray for them and for my future

at Valley View. I found part-time work and sold books during vacations

to pay my school bills. Friends, pastors, and the school faculty helped

me stay in school.

When my father found another job, he again paid my school fees. He

even asked me to give up the scholarship I was receiving so that some-

one more needy could benefit from it.

My whole family attended my graduation. I had a chance to introduce

them to people who had made a difference in my life. Dad was so glad

that the school had helped me complete my education when he couldn’t

help.

My family doesn’t mock my faith now. They listen when I share my

beliefs with them. I pray that they will continue to grow in the knowl-

edge of God, as I did while at Valley View University.

Your mission offerings help sustain and expand Valley View

University, which has a reputation for excellence in education and

faithfulness to God’s principles. Thank you.

G O-A lives in Ghana, West Africa

Discipling the Nations

Sabbath afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study:

Isa. 56:6–8; Matt. 11:20–24;

John 12:20–32; Rom. 15:12; Acts 1:7, 8.

Memory Text:

“‘For My house shall be called a house of prayer

for all nations’” (Isaiah 56:7, NKJV).

hrist’s message, from its inception, was destined for everyone

everywhere. Early on, the gospel went worldwide, because it

is universally applicable. Doubtless, this concept challenged

the disciples’ thinking. Their initial reaction, for instance, to Christ’s

conversing with the Samaritan woman illustrates this challenge. They

thought that Jesus as the Messiah was merely the fulfillment of Jewish

prophecies and hopes. Somehow they had missed or misinterpreted the

prophets, especially Isaiah, whose message encompassed all peoples.

Jesus, the Desire of all nations, was not to be limited to a single group.

Salvation might be of the Jews, but it was for everyone. Christ’s fol-

lowers would transcend national boundaries, international conflicts,

language differences, and other difficulties, because He had established

the pattern of cross-cultural evangelism.

As Seventh-day Adventists, we especially see this call in Revelation

14:6—“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having

the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to

every nation, tribe, tongue, and people” (NKJV).

* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 8.

*March 1–7

Lesson

March 2

The Prophets Foretold

Ancient prophets foretold the conversion of non-Jewish people

(Gentiles) to a scripturally based faith. Heathen deities, pagan wor-

ship, and destructive lifestyles would be toppled by uncompromising

submission to, and faith in, Jehovah. Israel’s enemies would stream into

Jerusalem begging for admission, thirsting for spiritual knowledge.

Israel’s commission was to broadcast God’s universal invitation to the

surrounding nations.

Unfortunately, Israel’s missionary passion was derailed by earthly

concerns. The grand vision was buried beneath complacency. Christ’s

coming resurrected that vision, at least for some.

Read

Isaiah 56:6–8; Micah 4:1, 2; Jonah 3:7–10; 4:1. What do these

verses teach about universal outreach, and about how limited some

in Israel were in understanding it?

________________________________________________________

Israel was to be the light of the nations. Seeing the wonderful advan-

tages that the Israelites had, heathen nations would inquire about the

Israelites’ monotheistic faith, and thus many of them would be con-

verted to the true God.

Unfortunately, that’s not how things generally turned out, as Israel

became so inwardly focused that it lost sight of its larger purpose and,

often, the God who had offered it so much.

Modern Christians face a similar challenge. Will they sacrificially

invest in furthering the gospel, or will they become inwardly focused,

forgetting their larger purpose? It’s an easier trap to fall into than we

realize.

“In the name of the Lord let us lift up our voices in praise and thanks-

giving for the results of work abroad.

“And still our General, who never makes a mistake, says to us:

‘Advance. Enter new territory. Lift up the standard in every land.

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen

upon thee.”’

“Our watchword is to be: Onward, ever onward. The angels of God

will go before us to prepare the way. Our burden for the ‘regions

beyond’ can never be laid down until the whole earth shall be light-

ened with the glory of the Lord.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the

Church, vol. 6, pp. 28, 29.

sunday

March 3

Woe Unto Thee!

Read

Matthew 11:20–24, Luke 4:25–30, 17:11–19, John 10:16. What

crucial message comes from these texts? How can we take what is

written here and apply it to ourselves, in our own time and context?

What principle is revealed here that we have to be very careful

about?

________________________________________________________

Christ wanted His own people, those who had so many advantages,

to wake up to what their true calling and purpose was as a people. He

wanted them to see that salvation, even for the chosen nation, was not

something that a person is born into. It’s not passed on in the genes or

by a birthright. It was something that requires a conscious choice to

accept, a choice that even those who weren’t of Israel could, and did,

make.

Athletic coaches sometimes challenge their athletes by comparing

them with competing schools or organizations. “If you’d practice as

faithfully, energetically, and intensely as they do, you’d enjoy success.”

The coach’s obvious motivation is to inspire, to build up desire rather

than diminish it.

In the same way, Jesus wanted His own people to share the fullness

of salvation as some non-Jewish people were already doing. No doubt

His words scandalized some because He preached something that they

didn’t want to hear, however much these truths should have already

been known and understood by them.

Some people might indeed have many spiritual advantages that oth-

ers don’t have, but those who have these advantages must realize that,

whatever they have been given, they are all gifts from God, to be used

for His glory and not their own.

What about us? What about all the advantages that we, as a

people, have been given by God? Why is it important, first, to

recognize those advantages; then, second, humbly to realize the

responsibilities that come with them?

______________________________________________________

Monday

“We Would See Jesus”

Read

John 12:20–32. How is the universality of the gospel message

revealed in these verses?

________________________________________________________

Jerusalem was buzzing with rumors. Christ’s triumphal entry had just

occurred. Hosannas, though, were quickly replaced by questions. What

was going to happen next? Would Jesus be crowned king?

Among the crowd assembling for Passover were Greek worship-

ers. Notice their words to Philip, “Sir, we would see Jesus.” In other

words, they wanted to see Jesus. They wanted to be with Him. They

wanted to learn from Him. What a testimony to the universal charac-

ter of Christ and His message! How sad, too, that those who should

have said the same thing were the very ones who wanted to be rid of

Him.

The Greeks probably approached Philip because he carried a Greek

name. Coming from Bethsaida, a commercial fishing center—hence,

a cultural melting pot—he probably spoke their language too. The text

suggests that Jesus was not immediately present. Perhaps He worshiped

nearby in places reserved for Jews.

However, then joining His disciples and the Greek interviewers

within the outer court, Jesus granted these men their wish. Notice

what He said to them: “If any man,” meaning any man, woman, Jew, or

Greek, wanted to follow Him, they could, but it would come at a cost.

What

was that cost? How do we understand the meaning of this? See

John 12:25.

________________________________________________________

Then, with these foreigners still present, heaven thundered a con-

firming message of judgment and conquest. That Voice was heard,

Jesus said, not for Him but for them, Jew and Greek, that their faith

could be strengthened. Christ’s words immediately affirmed that His

death was to be for all the world.

Tuesday

March 4

March 5

Breaking Down Barriers

Read

John 7:35, 8:48, Luke 10:27–37. In what way do these verses

show why regional, ethnic, and other barriers should have no place

among Christians as they seek to make disciples among all nations?

________________________________________________________

Some of the leaders’ contempt for Jesus knew no bounds. Again, the

terrible irony was that those who should have been in the forefront of

receiving Him and His message were the very ones who fought against

Him the hardest. Priests of Israel scorned the Son of God when those

not of Israel accepted Him as the Messiah. What a powerful and sober-

ing lesson is here for those who deem themselves (perhaps with some

justification) spiritually advantaged!

When condemning Christ, they not only labeled Him as having a

devil, they made it worse by calling Him a Samaritan, as well. They

even mocked Him for His witness among the Greeks, showing obvi-

ously their contempt for those not of their own nation and faith. Israel’s

leaders found it unthinkable that Jesus would consider teaching Greeks.

Jesus countered this by emphasizing character above ethnic origin.

How interesting, too, that He used the true story of a Samaritan in

order to teach a powerful spiritual lesson about what it meant truly

to fulfill God’s law. Religious leaders, doubtless restrained by their

twisted understanding of Levitical law and defilement, had earlier

bypassed the wounded man. The despised foreigner, a Samaritan, had

conscientiously defied ethnic prejudice, saving the stranger’s life. What

a stinging rebuke to all those who spurn and scorn someone in need

only because the person is not of their own ethnic, social, or cultural

background.

Think of the last time you perhaps did not help someone in need.

What justifications did you use not to help? Looking back now,

what should you have done differently?

______________________________________________________

Wednesday

The Great Commission

Read

Romans 15:12; Acts 1:7, 8; John 11:52, 53; Matthew 28:19, 20.

What’s the essential message here, and how does this message fit in

so well with the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14?

________________________________________________________

God’s final work is incomplete until the eternal gospel expressed

in the message of the three angels found in Revelation 14 has crossed

every racial, ethnic, national, and geographical boundary. Without

divulging the precise timing, Scripture unequivocally states that this

gospel will reach around the world. God’s triumph and its proclama-

tion are assured.

The nations’ acceptance of that message is prophesied. This must

happen, but who will offer themselves as God’s channels of grace?

Who will join Christ in the overturning of the racial, ethnic, and

language barriers that impede the gospel’s progress? Who will empty

their wallets and pocketbooks? Who will sacrifice earthly comforts

and family associations in order to advance heaven’s cause? These are

the questions that we all must ask ourselves. What are we doing to

reach out to others, whoever and wherever they are? How unfortunate

that some believers allow racial stereotypes, cultural prejudices, and

satanically designed social barriers to dissuade them from vigorous

gospel proclamation when their fellow believers are scattered across

the globe, willingly yielding their lives that the gospel might be

preached.

“Our missionary success has been fully proportionate to our self-

denying, self-sacrificing effort. God alone can estimate the work

accomplished as the gospel message has been proclaimed in clear,

straight lines. New fields have been entered, and aggressive work has

been done. The seeds of truth have been sown, the light has flashed

upon many minds, bringing enlarged views of God and a more cor-

rect estimate as to the character to be formed. Thousands have been

brought to a knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. They have been

imbued with the faith that works by love and purifies the soul.”

—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 28.

Thursday

March 6

March 7

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, “The Great Commission,”

pp. 25–34; “Pentecost,” pp. 35–46, in The Acts of the Apostles; “In the

Outer Court,” pp. 621–626; “The Good Samaritan,” pp. 497–505, in

The Desire of Ages.

“A certain Samaritan, in his journey, came where the sufferer was,

and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. He did not question

whether the stranger was a Jew or a Gentile....

“Thus the question, ‘Who is my neighbor?’ is forever answered.

Christ has shown that our neighbor does not mean merely one of the

church or faith to which we belong. It has no reference to race, color,

or class distinction. Our neighbor is every person who needs our help.

Our neighbor is every soul who is wounded and bruised by the adver-

sary. Our neighbor is everyone who is the property of God.”—Ellen G.

White, The Desire of Ages, p. 503.

Discussion Questions:

 What does our financial support of the church’s worldwide

mission indicate about our real commitment to the gospel com-

mission? Why must our involvement reach beyond mere financial

support? In what ways can funds presently allocated to church

preservation be channeled into cross-cultural evangelism?

 “We are not to feel that the work of the gospel depends prin-

cipally upon the minister. To every man God has given a work to

do in connection with His kingdom. Everyone who professes the

name of Christ is to be an earnest, disinterested worker, ready to

defend the principles of righteousness. Every soul should take an

active part in advancing the cause of God. Whatever our calling,

as Christians we have a work to do in making Christ known to

the world. We are to be missionaries, having for our chief aim the

winning of souls to Christ.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the

Church, vol. 6, p. 427. In class, dwell on the meaning of what is

written here and, as a class, ask what more you could do to help

finish the work that we have been called to do.

 Dwell more on what Jesus said in John 12:25. What does it

mean to “hate” our life “in this world”? In what ways are we to

express this “hatred”?

Fri day

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.

Web site: www.AdventistMission.org

tory

inside

A Louder Voice

The Central Sofia Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bulgaria had

a vision to record Sabbath School lessons and sermons to upload on

the Internet for anyone to watch. They had purchased the camera and

other basic equipment to operate the studio, but they needed a few

more pieces of equipment. Where would they get the money to buy the

needed equipment? They prayed and they searched, but they hadn’t

been able to complete the studio.

Then one Sabbath after vespers, a Bulgarian couple from abroad

found Lena and told her, “We’ve heard about your recording studio, and

we want to help you. What do you need?”

Lena’s breath caught in her throat. This is it! she thought. God is

doing what He has promised. “We need an air conditioner to protect the

equipment from the heat,” she said.

“Make a list of what you need,” the man said. Lena and the pastor

gave the man a list of equipment needed to complete the studio. The

cost was about $15,000 in U.S. dollars. As they gave the list to the

couple, the pastor said, “Choose what you’d like to help us with. Only

the air conditioner is urgent.”

The man and his wife agreed to buy all the equipment, and soon the

Internet station was up and running.

Word of the Adventist Internet site spread quickly, and people began

watching.

An old woman called the church to say that her church in a small

Bulgarian village had only a handful of aging Adventists with no

pastor. They felt they had no option but to close the church. Then the

woman’s son brought a computer and set it up in the church so the mem-

bers could join the believers in Sofia via the live video feed through the

Internet. “Not only did the church not close,” the woman said, “but ten

new people are coming to church to watch the video worships.”

A man reported that he is a sailor aboard a ship. He isn’t an Adventist,

but he was searching for an inspirational Web site on the ship’s com-

puter. The only Web site he could pick up was the Sofia church’s. None

of the 30 crew members are Adventist, but they like the programming

and watch regularly. “Now when we’re in port, I visit an Adventist

church and several other sailors come with me,” he said.

In the three years that the Web site has been operating, the church

has seen ample evidence of how God can use such resources to reach

searching souls for Jesus. Our mission offerings help implement crea-

tive ministry around the world.

L D manages the Internet studio at the Adventist church in Sofia,

Bulgaria. See it at vvv.bg.

Discipling Spiritual Leaders

Sabbath afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study:

Luke 6:12–16, John 16:7–14,

Luke 6:20–49, Jer. 50:31, Isa. 57:15, Acts 1.

Memory Text:

“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out

to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from

them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles” (Luke 6:12, 13,

NKJV).

hile Jesus was ever active in making disciples, He recognized

that His earthly sojourn was short. Therefore He invested

Himself in the training of disciples to continue the work after

He left. He was both their Master Teacher and their Master Trainer.

While teaching and training are obviously related, teaching usually

connotes the impartation of knowledge, whereas training suggests for-

mation or qualification through practice and discipline.

The disciples’ preparation for leadership certainly involved the

receiving of knowledge, but spiritual growth was uppermost. They

needed an experience in the things of God, of faith, of hardship, of

sanctification, and of self-sacrifice, along with an intellectual under-

standing of doctrine and theology. Knowledge alone was insufficient

preparation for the rigorous challenges ahead. Jesus gave them both.

* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 15.

*March 8–14

Lesson

March 9

Leadership Starts Here

Christ’s earthly sojourn was relatively brief. Therefore, the training

of disciple-makers was imperative. Whom should He select? How

many should He choose? Jesus’ disciples doubtless numbered in the

hundreds. Should everyone undergo mass education? Christ under-

stood that leadership was cultivated effectively within small groups,

not mass-produced through lectureships. Limited numbers would be

chosen for Christ’s initial graduating class.

Study

Luke 6:12–16. What did Jesus do before He chose His disciples,

and why was this so important?

________________________________________________________

Choosing effectively required advanced wisdom. Jesus approached

His heavenly Father through prayer to acquire this wisdom. Likewise,

prayer should precede the selection of leadership candidates in twenty-

first-century disciple-making. Since Christ apparently believed that

He needed extensive prayer in order to obtain the wisdom required,

how much more should today’s Christians petition for divine wisdom

when choosing those charged with overseeing the progress of the Great

Commission?

Having chosen twelve, Jesus designated them apostles—His com-

missioned representatives invested with spiritual authority. The larger

group of disciples witnessed this ordaining or commissioning with no

apparent jealousy or negative feelings. Later, Jesus would commis-

sion a larger group of seventy-two and, perhaps, others not recorded

within Scripture. The twelve apostles, however, retained the identity

of those most closely associated with Jesus; they shouldered the larg-

est responsibilities and, therefore, required the most extensive train-

ing and commitment. This arrangement clearly implies intentional

organizational structure among the earliest Christians. Christ spiritu-

ally invested the leaders within that organization with capabilities and

education commensurate to their assigned tasks.

Think through the implications of how much time Jesus spent in

prayer. What should this tell us about our own prayer lives? What

does prayer do for you?

______________________________________________________

sunday

March 10

Knowledge and Experience: Part 1

Information was an irreplaceable component of Jesus’ message.

Information alone cannot transform, but every transformation includes

information. Certainly, concepts possess no inherent power for initiat-

ing change; God’s Spirit, however, working through human hearts,

constitutes the irreplaceable element necessary for conversion.

Read

John 16:7–14. What is Jesus saying here that helps us to under-

stand how limited intellectual knowledge is, in and of itself, in the

understanding and experiencing of true Christianity?

________________________________________________________

Biblical knowledge coupled together with God’s Divine Spirit form

the spiritual combination that transforms individuals and societies. The

disciple-maker must strive for both of these in faith and study.

Christianity highly regards intelligence, thinking, and imagination.

The existence of reasoned thought throughout Scripture, the tremen-

dous respect afforded teachers within Judaism, and the priceless atten-

tion that scribes devoted to preserving ancient writings all testify to the

importance of knowledge.

Christianity is not an irrational faith. Nevertheless, certain elements

within Christianity have elevated emotion, feeling, and experience

above knowledge. This mind-set declares that what people believe

is relatively unimportant because experience alone is meaningful.

Obedience and adherence to specific truths are deemed relatively

unimportant; emotion and religious excitement become the measuring

stick for spiritual genuineness.

Scripture’s very existence counters this mindless fascination with

experience. Experience without knowledge becomes a supercharged

missile without direction. Conversely, knowledge without experience

becomes lifeless and oftentimes legalistic. True Christian leaders

understood the need to cultivate both of these elements, not only in

themselves but in those they disciple.

Think through all the good reasons that you have for your faith.

At the same time, what role has experience played? Why do we

need both?

______________________________________________________

Monday

Knowledge and Experience: Part 2

Read

Luke 6:20–49. In what ways are both knowledge and experience

revealed in these texts? That is, how are they blended here in a way

that shows why both are needed, not only in our own walk with the

Lord but in disciple-making as well?

________________________________________________________

Spiritual knowledge is indispensable for spiritual transformation.

Christ Himself was regarded as the Master Teacher. In open classrooms

bordered by seashores, mountains, and God’s created wonders, Christ

disseminated transformative knowledge. The Holy Spirit awakened

previously seared consciences to accept these truths. Disciple-making

is incomplete without experience, but experience must be directed by

knowledge.

Twenty-first-century disciple-makers must thoroughly acquaint

themselves with Scripture, the source of authentic spiritual infor-

mation. Likewise, they should disseminate doctrine and teachings

without regard to popularity or convenience. God expects seasoned

believers to withhold nothing, patiently guiding infant converts into

an ever-expanding understanding and appreciation for the wonderful,

life-changing truths of Christianity—especially the present truth of the

three angels’ messages.

the context of making disciples, what does Jesus say in Luke 6:39 that

everyone who seeks to make disciples must keep in mind? How can

we be sure that we are not like that which Jesus is warning about

here?

________________________________________________________

In the end, a combination of knowledge and experience that produces

unselfish love will be the most potent force for any disciple-maker to

possess.

Tuesday

March 11

March 12

The Early Leaders

It is of no small interest and importance that in choosing leaders,

Jesus picked from among the humbler, less-educated class of people.

Christ did not choose the learning or eloquence of the Sanhedrin.

Passing by the self-righteous teachers, the Master Worker chose

humble, unlearned men to proclaim the truths that were to move

the world. These men He purposed to train and educate as the lead-

ers of His church. They in turn were to educate others and send

them out with the gospel message. “That they might have success

in their work they were to be given the power of the Holy Spirit.

Not by human might or human wisdom was the gospel to be pro-

claimed, but by the power of God.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of

the Apostles, p. 17.

What

do the following texts tell us about why Christ chose the ones

He did to lead His church, as opposed to those whom many might

deem as having the qualities needed for leadership? Zeph. 2:3, Matt.

11:29, Jer. 50:31, Isa. 57:15.

________________________________________________________

We must be careful, though, to not make wrong assumptions about

why Jesus chose the ones that He did. Jesus was not against the edu-

cated or learned class; He Himself displayed, at a young age (Luke

2:46, 47), a great deal of knowledge. It’s just that so often those with

the most education, wealth, or power aren’t ready to humble themselves

in the way that people, especially leaders, need to in order for the Lord

to be able to use them. This is not always the case, of course; the Lord

did use such men (think of Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea; see also

Acts 6:7). It just means that so often these types tend not to be open to

the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Read 1 Corinthians 9:19 and Philippians 2:3. What traits are

expressed here, and why are these traits so crucial, not just for

a leader but for anyone who professes the name of Christ? How

can we learn to possess these traits in our own lives?

______________________________________________________

Wednesday

What Jesus Left

Future generations testify regarding the success of previous efforts.

Whenever those efforts generate lasting results, the principles under-

lying those accomplishments should be studied and replicated. Did

Christ’s disciple-making methodology produce significant outcomes?

Of course it did. It changed the world. None of us, in fact, would be

reading this Bible study guide more than two thousand years later, were

it not for Christ’s success in His training of the early church leaders.

Read

Acts 1. What does this first chapter in the formation of the

early church show us about the need for God-ordained leaders?

What were they looking for in a leader? (See vs. 22.) What can

we take away from this need for ourselves as we seek the right

leaders?

________________________________________________________

Jesus established His kingdom and exemplified the principles that

would perpetuate its growth. Pioneering the pathway through darkness

to sunrise, Christ selected leaders whose weaknesses were overshad-

owed by His strength because they completely depended upon Him.

Although lightly esteemed by the religious leaders and academically

deficient, they outshined the Pharisees where it counted: transpar-

ency, humility, dependence, and authenticity. How crucial that all of

us, whatever our positions in the church, display such characteristics.

Over time, those who possessed a substantial formal education and an

elevated social standing became part of the church.

“As Christ’s representatives the apostles were to make a decided

impression on the world. The fact that they were humble men would not

diminish their influence, but increase it; for the minds of their hearers

would be carried from them to the Saviour, who, though unseen, was

still working with them. The wonderful teaching of the apostles, their

words of courage and trust, would assure all that it was not in their own

power that they worked, but in the power of Christ.”—Ellen G. White,

The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 22, 23.

What do you look for in church leaders? Why? What are the top

three things that you want to see in them? Bring your answers to

class on Sabbath and compare answers.

______________________________________________________

Thursday

March 13

March 14

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, “The First Evangelists,” pp. 349–

358; “The Last Journey From Galilee,” pp. 488–496; and “The Sermon

on the Mount,” pp. 298–314, in The Desire of Ages. “The Training of

the Twelve,” pp. 17–24; “The Great Commission,” pp. 25–34; and “The

Seven Deacons,” pp. 87–96, in The Acts of the Apostles.

“All over the field of Christ’s labor there were souls awakened to their

need, and hungering and thirsting for truth. The time had come to send

the tidings of His love to these longing hearts. To all these the disciples

were to go as His representatives. The believers would be led to look

upon them as divinely appointed teachers, and when the Saviour should

thus be taken from them they would not be left without instructors.

“On this first tour the disciples were to go only where Jesus had been

before them, and had made friends. Their preparation for the journey was

to be of the simplest kind. Nothing must be allowed to divert their minds

from their great work, or in any way excite opposition and close the door

for further labor.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 351.

Discussion Questions:

 In class, discuss your answer to Thursday’s final question. What

can you learn from each other’s answers?

 Read Acts 6:1–6. Why does the incident here reveal one of the

reasons as to why the church needs good leaders?

 Dwell more on this idea of a balance between experience and

knowledge in the Christian life. Is it possible that different people

will need different balances; that is, some people will put more of

an emphasis on experience than they do on knowledge, while oth-

ers will focus more on knowledge than they do experience? If so,

how can we learn to be sensitive to these differences in our efforts

to make disciples? How can we learn that perhaps what we need

isn’t exactly what others will need? Also, look at this text: “For

the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom” (1Cor.

1:22). How does this text reveal the differences between knowledge

and experience?

Fri day

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.

Web site: www.AdventistMission.org

tory

inside

Mission Possible

Sister Xiang was riding on the train when a woman had a health emer-

gency. Another woman hurried to help the sick woman, praying over her

and crying, “You should believe in God.” The woman’s words remained

with Sister Xiang, even after she left the train.

She searched for a Christian church and found a house church. There

she met Jesus and found a peace and a joy she’d never known. But the

house church was far from her home, so she organized a house church

closer to home and invited people to worship there. She became passion-

ate about sharing God’s love with others.

Then she met some Seventh-day Adventists who showed her from

the Bible that the Sabbath was not Sunday, but Saturday. She read the

Bible texts again and again until she was convinced that the Sabbath was

indeed God’s holy day.

Sister Xiang eagerly told her fellow believers and friends what she

had discovered. One by one, they joined her in worshiping on Sabbath.

Sister Xiang begged the Adventist church in the nearby city to send

them a teacher. The church sent a layman to study with them. They had

few Bibles and no hymnals, so they copied Bible texts and songs to use.

The small group of believers quickly grew to more than the house could

hold. They divided and continued to grow. In three years, they established

five churches and several house churches, all led by Sister Xiang.

The government ordered Sister Xiang to stop the religious meetings.

Day after day, Sister Xiang and another believer went to the government

office of religion and prayed silently for permission to worship together.

Finally, the governor allowed the Adventists to build a church.

The believers in the area swarmed to help build the church, which was

completed in three months. Several daughter house churches continued

to meet. Within two years, the believers had built five more churches

with congregations from 50 to 500 people.

Sister Xiang attended lay training classes held in the mother church

in the area. Today, with nine churches, nine house churches, and 800

members, she says that the greatest need continues to be for trained

lay leaders and lay evangelists to help reach the people in neighboring

communities and introduce them to Jesus. “It’s how we grow,” she says.

“They are hungry, but they don’t know that Jesus can fill their every

need. We must tell them.”

Please pray for the believers in China and around the world; and con-

tinue giving your mission offerings that make mission outreach possible.

X shares God’s love with people in northern China.

The Harvest and the

Harvesters

Sabbath afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study:

John 1:40–46, 4:28–30, Luke

24:47–53, Acts 1:6–8, Matt. 9:36–38, Luke 15.

Memory Text:

“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much

fruit; so shall ye be my disciples” (John 15:8).

n many respects this week’s study is a continuation of the previous

lesson. Christ established spiritual leaders for the distinct purpose

of proclaiming the kingdom of God. The principles and methodol-

ogy that Jesus employed must remain the spiritual foundation for the

Christian’s preparation today.

In other words, modern leadership development theories must never

supplant the foundation that Christ Himself laid. Whenever hype and

publicity take precedence over spiritual growth, the results are shal-

lowness and spiritual sterility. Whenever proselytizing displaces repen-

tance, conversion, and spiritual transformation, the mission falters.

Training leaders to conduct membership drives, media blitzes, and pub-

lic relations campaigns instead of preparing them for spiritual warfare

is courting disaster. True evangelism and disciple-making are centered

around (1) the acknowledgment of our sinfulness, (2) genuine heartfelt

contrition, (3) our unreserved spiritual surrender, and (4) the irrepress-

ible compulsion to disseminate God’s divine message to others.

* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 22.

*March 15–21

Lesson

March 16

Beggars’ Bread

Nearing His earthly departure, Christ’s concern focused upon His

disciples, whom He had selflessly served and deeply loved. They would

not be abandoned. Although Jesus Himself had to return to heaven, the

Holy Spirit was commissioned to supply the spiritual intimacy that the

disciples had enjoyed in His presence. Christ’s instruction regarding

the Spirit’s work was so valuable that John devotes several chapters

to its preservation. One defining element was the Spirit’s testimony

concerning Christ, even though the Spirit would not testify unaided.

Accompanied by the Spirit, Christ’s disciples would likewise testify

concerning Jesus’ ministry. God could have commissioned angels,

unassisted by human beings, to broadcast the gospel. Instead, He

elected to appoint sinful, erring, unpredictable humans for this sacred

calling.

Read

John 1:40–46; 4:28–30; 15:26, 27; 19:35, 36. What do these texts

teach us about the ways in which the human and divine work

together in the winning of souls?

________________________________________________________

Evangelism has been defined as “beggars telling other beggars

where to find bread.” Andrew certainly excelled here. The writings

of his brother Peter were to be included in Scripture one day, Peter’s

ministry was chronicled in Acts, and Christ included Peter among

His three closest associates. Those honors never attended Andrew.

Nevertheless, he received special recognition for following Christ’s

simple instruction to lead people to Jesus.

How many of God’s chosen vessels—prolific leaders in evange-

lism, administration, and leadership—have been introduced to Christ

by faithful disciples whose identities, humanly speaking, have long

been forgotten? Although these people were not prominent them-

selves, think how crippled God’s work might have been had they

not faithfully witnessed about Jesus. Christ prepared His disciples

for greater tasks by first offering simple assignments well within

their reach. The Samaritan woman, Philip, and Andrew demonstrate

the power of simple testimonies and heartfelt invitations. We all are

called to do likewise.

sunday

March 17

When Jesus Urged Patience

Read

Luke 24:47–53, Acts 1:6–8, 16:6–10. Why was waiting for the

Spirit necessary? What was the Spirit’s role in the evangelistic out-

reach of the primitive church? What encouragement might modern

believers draw from Paul’s experience when facing frustration?

What lessons regarding patience and waiting for God’s timing are

suggested within these passages?

________________________________________________________

Through discourse and example, Jesus taught His disciples patience.

Facing bigotry, ignorance, misunderstanding, and outright conspir-

acy, Christ nonetheless patiently persevered. Such perseverance was

anchored by Christ’s complete dependence upon God’s divine Spirit.

Jesus understood that unless these disciples should likewise experi-

ence this dependence, the kingdom’s advancement was seriously jeop-

ardized. Conversely, should they learn this lesson at the outset, their

future ministry would be destined for heavenly attainments. Therefore,

His departing command was “Wait.”

Christ desires that modern believers master that lesson also. Well-

intentioned but self-confident Christians, when unwilling to patiently

await the Spirit’s guidance, can embarrass themselves and God’s king-

dom.

The apostle Paul drafted ambitious plans for entering Bithynia; but

even headstrong Paul was sensitive to God’s leading and accepted rather

than resisted the Spirit’s interference. The apostle willingly received

the Spirit’s directive that sent him to Macedonia instead. Numerous

miracles attended his efforts there. Had Paul rushed headlong with his

designs, the European mission might have stalled indefinitely.

How can our anxious spirits be calmed to wait patiently for the

Spirit’s leading? What practical things should modern believ-

ers do in their attempts to cultivate such patience? What does

patient, prayerful trust indicate regarding our relationship with

God?

______________________________________________________

Monday

Exercising Authority

Compare

the following passages: Mark 6:7–13, Matt. 16:14–19, 18:17–

20, 28:18–20, John 20:21–23. What do these verses tell us about the

kind of authority that Jesus’ disciples had? What does this mean

for us today?

________________________________________________________

“Peter had expressed the truth which is the foundation of the church’s

faith, and Jesus now honored him as the representative of the whole

body of believers. He said, ‘I will give unto thee the keys of the king-

dom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound

in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in

heaven.’

“‘The keys of the kingdom of heaven’ are the words of Christ. All

the words of Holy Scripture are His, and are here included. These words

have power to open and to shut heaven. They declare the conditions

upon which men are received or rejected. Thus the work of those who

preach God’s word is a savor of life unto life or of death unto death.

Theirs is a mission weighted with eternal results.”—Ellen G. White,

The Desire of Ages, pp. 413, 414.

As the Father commissioned Jesus, so Christ commissions His

disciples. Through the Spirit, the Father invested Christ with divine

power. Through the Spirit, Jesus likewise invests His disciples with

divine power commensurate with their earthly assignments. No fol-

lower should fear that Christ has shortchanged them. Every neces-

sary skill, talent, capability, and strength has been supplied.

Sometimes human leadership fails to recognize the principles

involved. Whenever leaders assign tasks without extending com-

mensurate power, failure is predictable. Often leaders’ insecurities

surface through controlling behaviors that subjugate the thoughts,

God-ordained creativity, and individuality of others. Thus emascu-

lated, the subjugated disciple fails to be effective. Such behavior

would look like a conductor attempting to play every instrument

simultaneously instead of conducting a symphony.

Jesus’ example speaks volumes here. If anyone ever possessed

the right to withhold authority and dictate behavior, Christ certainly

did. Instead, He invested others with authority, commissioned them

to labor outside of His presence where His only influence would be

His instruction and examples and sent them to minister and witness.

Tuesday

March 18

100

March 19

Laborers for the Harvest

“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion

on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep

having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest

truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the

Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his har-

vest” (Matt. 9:36–38). What important message can we take from

these verses for ourselves, today, and for the task ahead of us?

________________________________________________________

The spiritual harvest overflowed, but harvesters were scarce. The

heart soil had been prepared, the spiritual seed had been planted;

germination, plentiful moisture, and abundant sunshine spurred unbe-

lievable growth. Ripened souls awaited harvesting, but where were

the harvesters? Utilizing simple, easily understood word-pictures,

Jesus sought to inspire contagious zeal.

Sometimes Christians covet their fellowship with other believ-

ers and cluster together, blindly bypassing worldly seekers who are

ripened for harvest. Perhaps not realizing their divine accountability

for perishing souls, they busy themselves with church engagements,

civic responsibilities, building maintenance, and other worthwhile

projects dedicated to preserving the status quo. These are doubtless

good things. Well-intentioned members sometimes question the value

of evangelism or express this sentiment: “Pastor, this evangelism stuff

is all right, but don’t we need programs for people who are already

in church?”

This is a fair enough question, though one must also ask, “When

did Jesus ever lament the shortage of grain preservers?” Instead,

“more harvesters” was His prayerful plea.

How can we find the right balance between ministering to the

needs of those in the church and at the same time not neglecting

outreach?

______________________________________________________

Wednesday

101

Lost and Found

Through teaching and personal example, Jesus taught His disciples

to associate with sinners, even notorious ones such as prostitutes

and tax collectors. How else would they disciple the whole world?

His teaching often focused on these sinners. His characteri zation of

them as “lost” demonstrates how merciful Christ was. He might have

characterized them as “rebellious” (they certainly were) or “depraved.”

Instead, He chose “lost.”

Lost doesn’t carry the same negative connotations that are con-

tained in those other words. Rather than castigating fallen souls,

we should follow Christ’s example. Lost is a generous description,

because the responsibility is placed upon the finders. Disparaging

remarks drive lost people away. Neutral language conveys acceptance

and the possibility for relationship. We therefore must be careful not

only about the language we speak, but even about the words we think,

because our thoughts will greatly impact our attitudes toward others.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus encourages believers to become

finders. He wants us to love and to reach out to the lost, regardless of

the kind of people they are or the kind of lives they live.

“This is the service that God has chosen—‘to loose the bands of

wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go

free, and that ye break every yoke,... and that thou hide not thyself

from thine own flesh.’ Isa. 58:6, 7. When you see yourselves as sin-

ners saved only by the love of your heavenly Father, you will have

tender pity for others who are suffering in sin. You will no longer

meet misery and repentance with jealousy and censure. When the

ice of selfishness is melted from your hearts, you will be in sym-

pathy with God, and will share His joy in the saving of the lost.”

—Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 210, 211.

Study Luke 15. What essential message comes through in all

these parables? What should this message say to us about the

way in which God views the lost and what our responsibility to

them is?

______________________________________________________

Thursday

March 20

102

March 21

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, “The Last Journey From

Galilee,” pp. 488–496; “Who Is the Greatest?” pp. 436–440, in The

Desire of Ages; “The Training of the Twelve,” pp. 17–24; “The Great

Commission,” pp. 25–34; “Pentecost,” pp. 35–46; “The Gift of the

Spirit,” pp. 47–56, in The Acts of the Apostles.

“The disciples felt their spiritual need and cried to the Lord for the

holy unction that was to fit them for the work of soul saving. They did

not ask for a blessing for themselves merely. They were weighted with

the burden of the salvation of souls. They realized that the gospel was

to be carried to the world, and they claimed the power that Christ had

promised.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 37.

Discussion Questions:

 What principles from Christ’s training methodology should

modern teachers of disciple-making utilize? Imagine what such

training would look like in your church.

 In Thursday’s study, we looked at the question of language

and the way in which language is used. Think through the kind of

words that we, as Seventh-day Adventists, often use. Though we

might view the words in a certain way, think about how others who

are not familiar with our terms might understand those words. In

what ways might we need to be more careful about our choice of

words, especially with those whom we are seeking to reach?

 Dwell more on the image we saw earlier about “beggars telling

other beggars” where to get bread. How does this so accurately

depict that which witnessing and outreach are all about? Why is it

important that we do not forget that image and what it means?

 What about your local church? Is it more focused on itself and

its own needs or on outreach? How can a focus on outreach help

the church? Or, to express it another way, if your church were

more focused on witnessing and outreach, might it be less con-

cerned about its own needs? How might outreach itself solve those

needs?

Fri day

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.

Web site: www.AdventistMission.org

103

tory

inside

Don’t Be Ashamed

“If you insist on joining another church, you will no longer live with

me,” my auntie told me firmly.

After my parents died, my brother and I lived with our aunt. She had

sent us to a Seventh-dayAdventist school so we’d have a Christian educa-

tion. But she didn’t expect me to become an Adventist. I tried to explain

that I was following God’s command. But she said, “Not as long as you

live in my house!”

When I told the Bible teacher what my aunt had said, he responded,

“Following Jesus must be your own decision.” I asked if I could be bap-

tized in secret so my aunt wouldn’t know, but he gently said, “Baptism

declares to the whole world your decision to follow Jesus. A secret bap-

tism means that you are ashamed of your faith.”

He was right. I realized that I didn’t have to fear. That night I told

my aunt that I planned to be baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist

Church.

My baptism was a joyful service. But when I returned home after

church, my aunt asked, “Were you baptized today?” I told her Yes, hop-

ing her heart had softened. “Then why did you come back here?” she

asked.

On Monday I asked the school principal what to do. Exams were

coming up, and I needed to focus on doing well. The principal arranged

for me to stay in the dormitory at school so I could finish my year and

take the exams. But when school was over, I again had no place to live.

I stayed with some friends for a few days while I looked for a solu-

tion. The pastor suggested that we talk to my aunt. But when the pastor

tried to talk to her, she wouldn’t listen. She blamed him for my situa-

tion. “Get out of my house! Both of you!” she shouted.

The pastor and his wife invited me to live with them. What a bless-

ing! They have shown me so much about

God’s love. I’m so glad I decided to fol-

low Jesus and be baptized. While it was

difficult, it has been worth it. I pray that

Jesus will touch the lives of my aunt and

my brother and that they can find the same

happiness I have found.

I’m grateful for the Adventist school

where I learned to love and obey Jesus. Your

mission offerings make a difference every

day in thousands of lives. Thank you!

C M lives in Rwanda.

104

The Cost of Discipleship

Sabbath afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study:

Luke 12:49–53; Deut. 21:15;

1Cor. 9:24–27; Matt. 18:8, 9; John 14:1–3; Heb. 11:32–12:4.

Memory Text:

“Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that

as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort”

(2Corinthians 1:7, ESV).

hroughout history, nameless millions willingly sacrificed their

lives for Christ. They were imprisoned, tortured, even executed.

Millions have foregone employment, suffered ridicule, endured

expulsion from family, and persevered through religious persecution

rather than forsake Christ. Only God knows the full extent of the suf-

fering that His faithful ones have endured.

Of course, Paul forewarned, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly

life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2Tim. 3:12, ESV). And Peter

said, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered

for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps”

(1Pet. 2:21, ESV).

Despite the promises of the so-called “prosperity” preachers, luxuri-

ous automobiles and financial gain are not automatic embellishments

afforded to believers.

In the end, we can be sure that whatever the cost of discipleship is,

considering the ultimate reward, that cost is cheap enough.

* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 29.

*March 22–28

Lesson

105

March 23

Calculating Cost: First Priority

Study

Luke 12:49–53; 14:25, 26; Matthew 10:37. In what way are we

to understand these strong words? What is Jesus telling us here?

________________________________________________________

Modern television newscasters would have concocted a prominent

scandal from these words: “Today, celebrated religious leader Jesus

of Nazareth advocated familial hatred during His afternoon address.

Analysts are comparing these current pronouncements with previously

released statements that promoted loving relationships with neighbors

and enemies. Informed commentators wonder if this indicates recent

policy shifts. Other unconfirmed quotations suggest selling everything

and turning the proceeds over to the Jesus movement. Stay tuned for

further developments.”

A closer study of the Bible and the way in which the word hate is

used helps to clarify what Jesus meant. Deuteronomy 21:15 contains

Mosaic legislation regarding men with multiple wives. The King James

Version, following the natural sense, translates thus: “one beloved and

another hated,” concerning those wives. Moses’ point is that if the

husband favors one wife above others, he cannot deprive those less

favored. The New Revised Standard Version and Modern Language

Bible change the terminology rendering beloved with loved and hated

with disliked. The Tanakh (Jewish Bible) and the New American

Standard Bible (Protestant) settle on loved and unloved. Clearly, the

intended understanding was relative affection. Hatred in this context

may indicate “loving less.” Matthew 10:37, the parallel passage, cer-

tainly lends credibility to this suggestion.

Jesus’ point is simple yet full of deep implications. Whenever family

receives precedence and Christ becomes secondary, Jesus relinquishes

lordship. Serving multiple masters is impossible. Christ certainly sup-

ported strong family connections. Such connections, however, receive

strength from unshakable foundations. That foundation means loving

God unreservedly, first and foremost. God disallows every barrier, inter-

ruption, or distraction. Discipleship exacts the supreme price: undivided

loyalty to Christ.

How do we, on a daily, practical level, put Christ before everyone,

including family? What does it mean to do just that, and what

could be some of the consequences?

______________________________________________________

sunday

106

March 24

Bearing Our Cross

“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, can-

not be my disciple” (Luke 14:27).

Discipleship means accepting Christ as Savior and Lord. Following

Jesus means that you are ready to undergo the same suffering that

Christ did. Thus, we must be honest in the way in which we present

our message. Certainly the glorious truths of righteousness by faith,

Christ’s forgiveness, Jesus’ imminent return, heaven’s incomparable

wonders, and God’s unmerited grace should be taught.

But should believers desire to proclaim God’s complete message,

they cannot overlook cross-bearing. Sadly, some believers erroneously

think that preaching any message whereby human beings are called into

action is legalistic. “Divine grace has accomplished all,” they proudly

exclaim, “and the human race does nothing except receive it.” Jesus,

however, disagrees.

Read

Matthew 16:21–25; Luke 21:12–19; John 15:17–20; 16:1, 2.

What should we take away from these texts about the cost of fol-

lowing Jesus?

________________________________________________________

Before baptism, every candidate should understand that Christ

Himself has assigned him or her a cross, without which they abso-

lutely cannot become His disciple. Does this dampen the joy of

conversion? Would unrealistically promising them carefree lives

somehow increase this joy? Conversion releases believers from the

burdens of sin, not from the responsibilities of discipleship. By tak-

ing the name of Christ and by publicly revealing that choice through

baptism, every believer must be aware that discipleship comes with

a cost. What, though, does this world offer that makes what Christ

offers not worth it? Nothing.

When was the last time that you took up your cross? What was

the experience like? What did you learn from it that could help

someone else struggling with a similar challenge?

______________________________________________________

Monday

107

Disciplined Response

Analyze

the following passages: Luke 14:31–33, 1Cor. 9:24–27, Heb.

12:1–4, 2Pet. 1:5–11. What are these texts telling us about the life

of a disciple? How have you experienced the reality of what the

Bible tells us here?

________________________________________________________

The cost of discipleship involves discipline. Every impulse, every

imagination, every ambition, and every desire must be submitted to

Christ. Every possession, physical or invisible, every talent and ability,

and everything of value must be under Christ’s command. What we

don’t surrender to Him can, and inevitably will, become an idol, with

the potential to lead us astray.

Christ indeed offers us the power to overcome our character defects.

Every appetite, emotion, and intellectual inclination can be under the

guidance of His Spirit.

Notice the athletic example that Paul used in some of the texts for

today. No athlete conspires to run slower, jump lower, or throw shorter.

No believer should look backward either, especially when that which is

at stake in the “race” is something that’s eternal, as opposed to whatever

prize an earthly runner might win as a result of all his or her diligent

effort and training.

“The runners put aside every indulgence that would tend to weaken

the physical powers, and by severe and continuous discipline trained

their muscles to strength and endurance, that when the day of the con-

test should arrive, they might put the heaviest tax upon their powers.

How much more important that the Christian, whose eternal interests

are at stake, bring appetite and passion under subjection to reason and

the will of God! Never must he allow his attention to be diverted by

amusements, luxuries, or ease. All his habits and passions must be

brought under the strictest discipline. Reason, enlightened by the teach-

ings of God’s word and guided by His Spirit, must hold the reins of

control.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 311.

Tuesday

March 25

108

March 26

Comparing Costs

Corporations explore the viability of proposed projects through cost-

benefit analysis. Do specific proposals contain the ingredients neces-

sary for bringing successful returns on investments? Does the benefit

outweigh the outlay? Another frequently used measurement is durabil-

ity. Does the proposal offer sustainable returns?

The rewards of discipleship may likewise be measured through com-

parison with the costs. Those costs may include emotional suffering,

social rejection, physical torture, financial deprivation, imprisonment,

and death itself. Everyone who undertakes discipleship should first

consider carefully the investments involved.

What

do the following texts tell us about some of the costs of disciple-

ship? Matt. 18:8, 9; Luke 6:35; Phil. 2:3.

________________________________________________________

What

do the following texts say about the benefits? Luke 18:28–30, John

14:1–3, Rev. 22:1–5.

________________________________________________________

There is no question that the cost of following Jesus can be high, per-

haps the costliest thing that anyone can do. Indeed, we should question

the reality of our faith and our commitment if following Christ hasn’t

cost a lot, maybe even everything.

But one thing is sure: whatever we gain in this life, whatever we

accomplish, whatever we make for ourselves, it is only temporary. It is

something that will not last. It will vanish and vanish forever.

In contrast, what we gain through Jesus—eternal life in a new heaven

and new earth—is by far worth more than anything and everything that

this world could ever offer us.

Think through all the pleasures, all the joys and good things of

this world here and now. What are they in comparison to eter-

nity with Christ? How can we learn always to keep this contrast

before us? Why is it important that we do so?

______________________________________________________

Wednesday

109

A Better Resurrection

Read

Hebrews 11:32–12:4. What do these verses say to you, personally,

about the cost and the reward of discipleship?

________________________________________________________

What a powerful concept this passage reveals, especially in the verse

that says: “Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were

tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better res-

urrection” (Heb. 11:35, NKJV).

In a sense, being both a disciple and disciple-maker can be boiled

down to one thing: “a better resurrection.” We follow Christ because

we have the promise, the hope, of redemption, of a new life in a new

world, one without sin, suffering, and death. At the same time, because

we have been given this hope, this promise—made certain by the life,

death, resurrection, and high-priestly ministry of Jesus—we seek to

point others to the same hope, the same promise. In the end, before

the great controversy is over, we will either face the first or the second

resurrection. We know, for sure, which is the better one. What else mat-

ters other than not only being in that resurrection ourselves, but doing

whatever we can to lead others to it, as well?

The harvest has ripened; millions await the call to discipleship. We

have been blessed not only with the gospel but the gospel in the context

of the “present truth”—the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14,

God’s last warning message to the world.

What are we going to do with these truths that we love so much?

Thus, we ask, Where are the reapers? Where are those willing to come

alongside Christ and share the risks? Will you accept God’s invitation

not to only be a disciple but to make disciples, regardless of the cost

to yourself ?

Think through the implications of the first resurrection and of

the second resurrection. In light of these options, what else mat-

ters other than being in the better one and helping others to get

there too?

______________________________________________________

Thursday

March 27

110

March 28

Further Study:

Ellen G. White, “In the Regions Beyond,” pp. 219,

220; “Berea and Athens,” pp. 241, 242, in The Acts of the Apostles.

“Fire comes down from God out of heaven. The earth is broken

up. The weapons concealed in its depths are drawn forth. Devouring

flames burst from every yawning chasm. The very rocks are on fire.

The day has come that shall burn as an oven. The elements melt with

fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein are burned

up. Malachi 4:1; 2 Peter 3:10. The earth’s surface seems one molten

mass—a vast, seething lake of fire. It is the time of the judgment and

perdition of ungodly men—‘the day of the Lord’s vengeance, and the

year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion.’ Isaiah 34:8.

“The wicked receive their recompense in the earth. Proverbs 11:31.

They ‘shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up,

saith the L of hosts.’ Malachi 4:1. Some are destroyed as in a

moment, while others suffer many days. All are punished ‘according to

their deeds.’”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pp. 672, 673.

Discussion Question:

 Dietrich Bonhoeffer, whose Christian faith led to his death,

wrote a famous book called The Cost of Discipleship (New York:

Collier Books, 1963). Below are some quotes from the book. How

do these fit in with what we have studied this week?

“The old life is left behind, and completely surrendered. The

disciple is dragged out of his relative security into a life of absolute

insecurity (that is, in truth, into the absolute security and safety of

the fellowship of Jesus).”—Pages 62, 63.

“If we would follow Jesus we must take certain definite steps.

The first step, which follows the call, cuts the disciple off from his

previous existence.”—Pages 66, 67.

“The cross is laid on every Christian. The first Christ-suffering

which every man must experience is the call to abandon the

attachments of this world.... When Christ calls a man, he bids

him come and die.”—Page 99.

Fri day

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.

Web site: www.AdventistMission.org

111

tory

inside

The Carpenter’s Tools:

An Allegory

Some tools lived together in a carpenter’s shop. They were having

some problems getting along, and some complained that others were not

doing their share of work. They met to discuss their issues.

The Hammer spoke first, for he served as the chairman. “Brother Drill,”

he began, “you and your family are so noisy. And you seem to spin in

circles, but go nowhere.”

The Drill quickly spoke up. “It’s true that I go around in circles, and my

work makes noise. But at least I’m sharp. Pencil is small and often so dull

that he makes a bad impression. He needs to be sharpened a bit if he expects

to be of any use around here.”

Pencil felt defensive and spoke up. “Yes,” he began, “I am a little blunt

at times, but it’s because I work hard at my job. At least I’m not rough like

Sandpaper here. It seems all he does is rub things the wrong way!”

That remark made Sandpaper really angry. “Hey, what about Ruler here?

He measures others by his standards, as though he is the only one right

around here.”

Ruler surveyed the group and said, “I’ll go if I have to, but then so must

the Screwdriver. He’s so annoying, always tightening here and loosening

there.”

Screwdriver angrily spat out, “Fine with me! I’ll go, but Plane must go,

too. His work is superficial; there’s no depth to it!” he said.

To this, Plane leveled his terse reply, “Saw’s cuts hurt. She divides instead

of unifies.”

Saw rose up to answer these accusations when suddenly a noise at the

door stopped all conversation.

The Carpenter walked in, ready to begin the day’s work. He put on His

tool belt and stepped to the workbench. He picked up the pencil and ruler.

Carefully he measured and marked the wood before him. He sawed along

the marks and then planed the cut edges of the wood to smooth the rough

edges. He hammered joints into place and drilled holes for screws to make

the piece sturdy. Then he sandpapered the wood to a silky smoothness. All

day long He worked, using first one tool and then another.

At the end of the day, He gave a hearty blow and blew the dust from

the finished product. And then He said, “Beautiful! I couldn’t have done it

without my tools. Each one had an important role to play. No one tool could

have done all the jobs. They’re all important.”

When we work together, going, praying, and giving, we are the Master’s

tools to finish His work.

112

2014

Bible Study Guide for the Second Quarter

Love rests on freedom, and freedom rests on law. Hence, the core of

God’s government—the foundation of that government, a government

of love—has to be His law. The attack on the law is an attack not just

on Christ’s character but on the moral order of the creation itself.

The topic for the second quarter 2014 is Christ and His Law, writ-

ten by Keith Burton. We will study the law, especially the question

of why so many Christians have fallen into the trap of denying the

continued validity of the Ten Commandments and thus, unwittingly,

have helped in the attempt to “overthrow” the law. The Bible, though,

is clear: “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments”

(1John 5:3). The link between our loving God and keeping His com-

mandments is stronger than we realize. We love God because we

live in a universe where love can exist. And it can exist because the

universe is moral, and that morality is based, at least for us as created

beings, on God’s moral law, the topic of our study for second quarter.

Lesson 1

—Laws in Christ’s Day

The Week at a Glance:

S: Roman Law (Luke 2:1–5)

M: Mosaic Law: Civic (Heb. 10:28, Deut. 17:2–6)

T: Mosaic Law: Ceremonial (Lev. 1:1–9)

W: Rabbinic Law (Luke 14:1–6)

T: The Moral Law (James 2:8–12)

Memory Text

—Romans 2:14, NASB

Sabbath Gem:

Various laws functioned in the community during

the time of Christ and the early church. These laws will be examined

only in the context of helping to set a foundation for the law that will

be the focus of the quarter, God’s moral law, the Ten Commandments.

Lesson 2

—Christ and the Law of Moses

The Week at a Glance:

S: Circumcision and Dedication (Luke 2:21–24)

M: Jewish Feasts (John 5:1)

T: Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41–52)

W: Taxes (Matt. 17:24–27)

T: Law Enforcement (John 8:1–11)

Memory Text

—John 5:46, NRSV

Sabbath Gem:

Throughout His life, Jesus remained faithful to

a system that He knew would be fulfilled through His death and

resurrection, and ministry in heaven.

Lessons for the Visually Impaired

The regular Adult Sabbath School

Bible Study Guide is available free each month in braille and on audio CD to sight-

impaired and physically handicapped persons who cannot read normal ink print. This

includes individuals who, because of arthritis, multiple sclerosis, paralysis, accident,

and so forth, cannot hold or focus on normal ink-print publications. Contact Christian

Record Services for the Blind, Box 6097, Lincoln, NE 68506-0097. Phone: 402-488-

0981; e-mail: info@christianrecord.org; Web site: www.christianrecord.org.